Investments in Indigenous tourism play an integral role in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and supporting their self-determination. As part of its commitment to supporting Indigenous tourism businesses and the growth of the industry, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), is celebrating the Indigenous tourism businesses that are receiving support through the Micro and Small Business Stream (MSBS). This stream is part of the broader Indigenous Tourism Fund (ITF).
Support from the MSBS bolsters Indigenous entrepreneurship, strengthens tourism businesses and enhances their market readiness for long-term sustainability in the sector. Today, the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Canadian Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec, announced the final round of businesses to benefit from the MSBS.
With MSBS funding, Indigenous tourism businesses across the country have undertaken a wide range of initiatives, including installing new sleeping cabins or kitchenettes, upgrading essential infrastructure such as electrical panels and septic systems, enhancing their tourism offerings, and developing marketing plans and products. About half of MSBS funding has been allocated to businesses that are majority owned by Indigenous women.
In this round, approximately $3.3 million in federal funding, administered by ITAC, has been awarded to 136 Indigenous tourism businesses from across Canada. This initiative follows three previous rounds of funding that distributed approximately $4.62 million to 186 Indigenous tourism businesses.
The delivery of the MSBS would not have been possible without the efforts of ITAC, which administered the MSBS in collaboration with provincial and territorial Indigenous tourism organizations. ITAC played an integral role in marketing the MSBS, managing the application intake and disbursing funding to the recipients. In total, ITAC and the Government of Canada will have successfully distributed nearly $8.1 million in funding support to close to 330 Indigenous tourism businesses.
Support from the MSBS exemplifies how collaboration between government and Indigenous communities can empower Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for economic growth.
This initiative is part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which aims to realize the full potential of Canadian tourism and confirm Canada's place as a top global destination.
