Kelowna has been chosen to host the International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) 2019. Tourism Kelowna worked in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Indigenous Tourism of British Columbia (ITBC), Westbank First Nation, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, Shackan Indian Band, and Lower Nicola Band on the bid to host the eighth installment of IITC, which is put on by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
2019 International Indigenous Tourism Conference Welcome Video, courtesy of TOTA.
This unique collaboration of Indigenous communities and tourism organizations resulted in a successful bid, which will bring more than 600 delegates to our city next November. The IITC welcomes attendees from across Canada as well as participants from global Indigenous tourism organizations to discuss Indigenous tourism topics, barriers, opportunities, and trends across Canada and the world.
“Hosting this gathering has significant meaning on so many levels for Kelowna, for the region, and for the three Indigenous Nations of the Thompson Okanagan,” says Lisanne Ballantyne, President & CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “A demonstrated spirit of collaboration won the event and that same intention will create an extraordinary conference experience and legacy in 2019.”
If you would like any further information on IITC 2019 or other conferences in Kelowna, please contact Jennifer Horsnell at jennifer@tourismkelowna.com or at 250-861-1515 ext. 205.
