The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released its list of 2023 award finalists, and a number of Northern Ontario ventures are among the picks.
A national organization representing the interests of Indigenous tourism operators from across the country, ITAC annually bestows awards on the brightest of the bunch.
This year, the awards gala will be held in conjunction with Indigenous Tourism Manitoba (ITM) in Winnipeg on March 9.
“It’s invigorating to see so many nominations representing a very impressive and diverse group of Indigenous operators from coast to coast to coast,” says Keith Henry, CEO and president of ITAC, in a news release. “Along with ITM, we will be celebrating the outstanding achievements of so many Indigenous entrepreneurs on March 9.”
Among the finalists are:
- Thrive Tours, in Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie), which offers Indigenous eco-tours and guided outdoor adventures; and
- Luke Wassegijig, the manager of Wikwemikong Tourism, based in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory;
ITAC said it received more than 60 nominations for this year's awards. To qualify, nominees must be majority Indigenous owned/controlled and provide tourism experiences or tourism related services.
