Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Calgary Tourism Join Forces to Boost Tourism
January 24, 2025 Marsha Mowers
Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Tourism Calgary have signed an agreement that will help grow tourism in the region and advance reconciliation with Indigenous businesses people and communities.
Under The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Tourism Calgary, with funding support from the Calgary Hotel Association (CHA), is committing $1M over four years to Indigenous Tourism Alberta to further develop and promote Indigenous experiences and businesses.
“Visitors come to Calgary to experience its beautiful landscapes and vibrant, diverse culture,” said Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary.
“Through Indigenous tourism, local Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs can share
their stories, cultures and rich histories with visitors from Alberta and around the world,
connecting them more deeply with our destination.
This agreement speaks to our commitment toward reconciliation as we understand how we
can better walk alongside Indigenous partners and communities to share authentic
Indigenous experiences with visitors and locals.”
Demand for Indigenous experiences continues to increase, especially amongst international and
convention visitors, as well as younger travellers interested in learning more about Indigenous
ways of life and cultures. Indigenous tourism is anticipated to grow to an annual contribution to
$143.3M in GDP to Alberta by 2026.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Indigenous Tourism Alberta
and Tourism Calgary marks a transformative partnership that paves the way for significant
tourism opportunities,” said Brenda Holder, Owner of Mahikan Trails and Indigenous Tourism Alberta Board Chair and Acting CEO.
“By uniting our efforts, we empower Indigenous entrepreneurs to
thrive, fostering cultural resilience and economic growth that honours our shared heritage and looks towards a strong future.”
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About the Author
Marsha Mowers made the move to editorial side of travel after many years working in destination marketing where she represented places such as NYC and Las Vegas. Her experience on “both sides” of the industry has put her in a unique position to provide valuable context to both readers and trade partners. Marsha also serves as Director of Content for TravelPulse Canada
