AtBC Stakeholder Forum Ensures Industry Growth
November 21, 2011
(Vancouver, BC) Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia’s (AtBC) stakeholders met at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel November 17th – 19th. There were approximately 100 AtBC stakeholders who attended from all parts of British Columbia. This was the fifth AtBC led Stakeholder Forum since 2009 and AtBC arranged specific topics to assist the Aboriginal cultural tourism business community. The agenda included a review of the draft AtBC Five Year Plan, understanding the travel trade, product authenticity, plus a number of key topics related to cultural and interpretive centers.
AtBC CEO Keith Henry stated, “AtBC stakeholders were provided support on topics important to the Aboriginal cultural tourism business sector. The strategic agenda led to our great attendance with several sector partners including Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Innovation, as well as the CEO’s from each of the regional destination marketing organizations.”
AtBC CEO Henry added, “AtBC utilized this opportunity and hosted a successful travel trade networking event at the Musqueam Cultural Pavilion on the evening of Thursday, November 17. The Pavilion, a magnificent gathering place, is now open for events and conferences on Musqueam Territory in South Vancouver. Close to 40 key travel trade partners from the Lower Mainland joined the event and were interested in making business connections with AtBC Stakeholders for their future travel offerings. The event provided a perfect opportunity to learn about AtBC Stakeholders' experiences from all over BC in a casual, tradeshow-style setting. At the event AtBC also introduced its recently developed Aboriginal-themed itineraries and packages to the travel trade. The feedback AtBC received from the Travel Trade and AtBC Stakeholders was tremendously positive.”
AtBC CEO Henry further added; “AtBC continues to play an important role to support training and awareness, product development, and marketing of the authentic Aboriginal tourism sector in BC. AtBC prepares to present that draft AtBC Five Year Plan to the First Nation Summit on December 1st and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs later this week on November 23rd.”
AtBC CEO Henry concluded; “AtBC board members and management continue to work to complete the Five Year Plan by January 2012 that will provide an industry road map for 2012-2017. AtBC and the stakeholders are confident the sector can achieve no less than a 10% annual increase in revenues and continue the trend to outperform the growth in the tourism sector in general.”
Media Contact:
Keith Henry
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 604-921-1070
Downloads: