Indigenous Tourism BC Adds New Stakeholders

The Authentic Indigenous Designation Program by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is designed to connect travellers seeking values-driven experiences with the Indigenous-owned tourism operators who provide them. The designated stakeholders are businesses who share Indigenous culture and offer “immersive experiences rooted in culture, community, and stewardship.”

The designation program also serves as a signal to travellers and industry of how culture, commerce and community can align in a vibrant, successful way.

The two newest businesses to receive the Authentic Indigenous designation as stakeholders are Coastal Rainforest Safaris and Talaysay Tours. ITBC provided an introduction to the businesses:

Coastal Rainforest Safaris is based in Port Hardy, on Vancouver Island. It offers small-group marine and wildlife experiences, including whale-watching tours and multi-day expeditions with overnight stays at the Indigenous-owned Kwa’lilas Hotel. Coastal Rain Forest Safaris strives to share lived knowledge rather than “staged cultural moments” and has been recognized for its slow-tourism approach, Indigenous-led storytelling and commitment to respectful land use.

Talaysay Tours operates in Vancouver, on the Sunshine Coast and in Sea-to-Sky country. It offers guided cultural tours, wellness experiences, and creative workshops centred around land-based education, Indigenous governance, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Recognized for its commitment to responsible stewardship and public education, Talaysay Tours creates meaningful cultural exchanges that foster understanding, respect, and allyship.

To learn more about ITBC and its partners, please visit www.indigenousbc.com

Related: Authentic Indigenous Tourism Growing in Demand: ITAC

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