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By rdnewsNOW staff

Provincial Politics

Province investing in Indigenous tourism

Jun 30, 2025 | 1:37 PM

Alberta’s government has announced a $6 million investment to support Indigenous-led tourism through Travel Alberta’s renewed agreement with Indigenous Tourism Alberta.

According to provincial officials, Alberta’s tourism sector is thriving, with the province hitting a record-breaking $14.4 billion in visitor spending last year. The government says Indigenous-led tourism is playing a key role in this growth by creating year-round demand, with almost half of international visitors seeking unique and authentic experiences when travelling to Alberta to discover the rich Indigenous cultures, traditions and perspectives across the province.

To support the growing demand for Indigenous-led tourism experiences, Alberta’s government says it has committed to investing another $6 million over three years through Travel Alberta’s renewed agreement with Indigenous Tourism Alberta. According to officials, this investment builds upon the province’s previous record-breaking investments in Indigenous-led tourism, creating meaningful employment and ownership opportunities for Indigenous Peoples while helping reach the ambitious goal of growing Alberta’s annual visitor spending to $25 billion by 2035.

“This continued support gives Indigenous tourism operators the opportunity to provide authentic experiences for visitors to learn about the histories, arts, cultures and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples,” says Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport. “Not only does this strengthen Alberta’s visitor economy, but it creates jobs and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities across the province while fostering understanding and supporting reconciliation.”

The government says this continued investment will support Indigenous Tourism Alberta’s mentorship and development programs for Indigenous tourism operators, as well as enable joint promotional activities that drive international demand for Indigenous tourism operators across the province. By continuing to invest more in Indigenous-led tourism than any other province, claim provincial officials, Alberta’s government is positioning the province as a premier destination for travellers and helping the rich histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples shine on the world stage.

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“When Indigenous communities lead their own tourism initiatives, the benefits ripple far beyond the visitor experience,” explains Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations. “This renewed investment supports Indigenous ownership, strengthens local economies and helps build vibrant, self-sustaining communities. We recently expanded the mandate of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation to include tourism, opening more doors for Indigenous entrepreneurs to access capital, grow their businesses and shape the future of Alberta’s tourism sector.”

“We’re proud to stand with Indigenous Tourism Alberta in building a stronger, more inclusive economy for all,” adds Sawhney.

“We’re seeing increasing demand for Indigenous tourism from all over the world at our business, and a strong partnership between Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Travel Alberta is so important to keep that progressing,” shares Brenda Holder, chair and founding member of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, owner of Mahikan Trails. “Tourism is competitive, and Indigenous entrepreneurs represent a huge opportunity as a market differentiator for the entire industry in Alberta, so I’m thrilled to see this collaboration continue.”

“This renewed investment is a continuation of our long-standing partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta, built on a shared vision: more authentic, transformative travel experiences, driven by Indigenous communities that want to share their stories with the world,” says Jon Mamela, chief commercial officer, Travel Alberta. “It reaffirms our belief that Indigenous tourism has the power to support thriving communities, creating economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to own and lead.”

Alberta government quick facts

• Through Travel Alberta’s renewed agreement with Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Alberta’s government is investing $6 million over three years to support Indigenous-led tourism.
• Since 2021, Alberta’s government invested a historic $12 million to support the growth of Indigenous-owned tourism businesses and organizations across the province.
• Indigenous tourism contributed $126 million in GDP to Alberta’s economy last year, and is projected to contribute another $138.6 million in 2025.