AtBC and WINTA Announce Early Registration and Program Schedule for PAITC 2015
Coast Salish Territories (Vancouver, BC) – The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, Host Partner for the second Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism & Trade Conference – taking place Sept. 12 – 14, 2015 in Vancouver, BC – is pleased to announce that the preliminary conference schedule and early registration have been confirmed with the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance.
Those interested in attending may register for the conference by visiting http://paitc2015.com/. Early registration pricing starts at $440 Cdn ($330 Cdn for students) with pricing increasing as of July 1, 2015. Conference topics will include case studies for successful partnerships in Indigenous tourism, winning formulas in eco-cultural tourism, and best practices to work in the Pacific-Asia marketplace.
The World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA) is the custodian of the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference (PAITC), hosted this year in the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. WINTA is a global network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and organizations that seek to give practical expression to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, through tourism.
“As global tourism continues its tremendous growth rates, Indigenous communities are increasingly engaged in developing and offering our own brand of authentic experiences,” says Ben Sherman, chair of WINTA. “These experiences provide visitors with a special view into ancient cultures, while demonstrating our close relationship with the natural environment.”
The Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference will focus on the international opportunity for engagement and sharing by all peoples who have an interest in promoting, implementing and celebrating achievements in fostering Indigenous self-determination through participation in tourism. This focus is consistent with the principles of the Larrakia Declaration on the Development of Indigenous Tourism, which was adopted by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2012. It represents the most important statement of commitment from the tourism sector that it intends to take on an active role in giving practical effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“From coast to coast to coast, Canada has a rich Aboriginal history and culture that dates back millennia, providing a foundation for uniquely authentic tourism experiences” says Keith Henry, chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada. “Authentic Aboriginal tourism stands to benefit greatly from the modern traveller’s appetite for immersive educational experiences, and, at the same time, has room to improve its market visibility, product quality, and coordination with other tourism agencies and organizations to realize its full potential.”
The host province of British Columbia is home to one third of Canada’s First Nations and the second largest Indigenous population and has experienced strong growth in Aboriginal tourism over the past decade. In 2010, 3.7 million visitors included Aboriginal experiences on their itineraries and spent $40 million learning about and experiencing First Nations culture. This represents nearly 100 per cent growth since 2006. Today, there are more than 200 Aboriginal tourism businesses in BC, an 85 per cent increase over 2006, which together contributes $561 million in value added GDP.
For more information, visit http://paitc2015.com/. Follow the conversation on social media through: #PAITC2015.
About WINTA
WINTA is an Indigenous-led global network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous interests that seek to give practical expression to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through tourism. WINTA collaborates with Indigenous communities, tourism industry entities, states, and NGOs, which have an interest in addressing the aspirations of Indigenous peoples seeking empowerment through tourism and producing mutually beneficial outcomes.
WINTA undertakes tourism policy research, organizes tourism conferences and workshops, and provides strategic destination consulting services.
About Aboriginal Tourism BC
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is a non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and co-operative marketing programs, AtBC is a one-stop resource for Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communities in British Columbia who are operating or looking to start a tourism business. AtBC works closely with tourism, business, education and government organizations to help BC’s Aboriginal tourism businesses offer quality experiences and actively promotes these experiences to visitors and local residents. www.AboriginalBC.com.
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Media contacts:
Brian Cant, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-888-8729 (cell) or brian@tartangroup.ca
Paula Amos, Aboriginal Tourism BC: 604-803-4494 or Paula@AboriginalBC.com
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