Frequently Asked Questions
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Our training includes access to expert trainers, culturally centered resources, and ongoing support to ensure you get the most out of the experience. We also provide meals and other accommodations for in-person sessions to make your participation as easy as possible.
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The length of each training session varies depending on the course. Some are one-day workshops, while others may span several days or include ongoing mentorship, coaching, or work placement opportunities.
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Some (but not all) of our training programs offer certifications upon completion, giving you valuable credentials. However, all courses and workshops will provide new skills and insights that can help advance your career.
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We offer in-person workshops, online training sessions, self-paced online courses, certification courses, longer-term development programs, dedicated coaching, work placement opportunities and post-secondary micro-credentials. Check our course calendar for details on available formats.
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Our priority is to deliver quality training, ideally from Indigenous-led providers residing in BC who specialize in Indigenous tourism.
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We partner with industry experts to deliver training. Depending on the subject, ITBC has vetted and selected facilitators to deliver training. ITBC’s in-house workshops are delivered by ITBC staff and qualified trainers.
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Please email ITBC’s Training Team at [email protected] with any questions. You can also contact your ITBC training coordinator, the training provider or the training facilitator for urgent questions.
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Failure to attend a scheduled training session without prior notice may affect your eligibility for future training opportunities. Repeated no-shows or missing key training sessions without communication could result in limited access to future funded training through the ITTI. This policy helps ensure that training opportunities are available to participants ready to fully engage and benefit from the programs.
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If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. Failure to attend a scheduled training session without prior notice may affect your eligibility for future training opportunities.
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We encourage all participants to register themselves to ensure all contact information is correct and to ensure all participants are fully informed on the contents of the course and are committed to completing the training. If you are applying on behalf of your employees, please submit the application once per participant and ensure your employees attend the full training.
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To apply for a training opportunity, review your eligibility and explore the current training opportunities available. Find the best fit for you, your business or your community.
If your desired workshop is open for applications, submit the online application once for every participant. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us. By submitting an application for a workshop, you are committing to attending the full course.
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The Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative is set to run until March 2026.
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The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport committed $2 million, and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction committed $4 million to support the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative until March 2026.
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The ITTI fully funds all tourism related training for eligible participants. The cost of the trainer, materials, venue and meals are included, but participants are responsible for their travel to and from the training location.
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Key training areas related to the tourism industry have been identified, and workshops across these categories will be available throughout the program. Discover the key training areas here. ITBC will also consider requests for custom tourism training. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
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Free tourism training is available for Indigenous people in BC, Indigenous tourism businesses with 51% or more Indigenous or First Nations ownership and their employees, Indigenous entrepreneurs, First Nations communities and their employees, and ITBC Stakeholders and their employees.
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The ITTI program provides free tourism training for Indigenous individuals, businesses, and communities across British Columbia. The training covers various areas, all designed to support personal and professional growth.
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Leadership and Personal Development training equip you with the skills to lead with confidence, integrity, and strategic vision. Workshops cover performance management, strategic thinking, and transformative leadership while offering specialized support for Indigenous women and emerging leaders. This training empowers you to align your leadership style with your values, fostering personal growth and driving meaningful change within your community and organization.
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Business, Administrative, and Financial training provides you with essential skills to manage your operations efficiently and profitably. Workshops cover financial management, cost control, payroll forecasting, and bookkeeping, ensuring your business can optimize its finances. Specialized courses in grant writing, taxation, and creative financial management empower you to navigate the economic aspects of your business with confidence, whether you’re a sole proprietor or managing a larger corporation.
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Branding, Sales, and Marketing training gives you the tools to effectively promote your business and connect with target audiences. Workshops cover digital marketing, e-commerce setup, SEO, and social media strategies, ensuring you can build and amplify your brand. Ethical marketing courses teach responsible promotion that respects cultural values, while media relations training helps you manage public perception and foster positive media relationships.
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Health & Safety training provides you with critical skills to maintain safe, secure, and healthy work environments. Workshops cover essential topics such as first aid, CPR, occupational health and safety, food safety and harm reduction, and ensuring preparedness for emergencies and everyday risks. This comprehensive training fosters a safety culture, protecting employees and guests while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
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Customer Service training prepares you to deliver exceptional and inclusive guest experiences. Workshops focus on service quality, handling demanding customers, and conflict resolution, ensuring you can manage challenging situations confidently and empathetically. This training empowers you to create positive, lasting impressions that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
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Human Resources training equips you with the tools to create safe, inclusive, and supportive workplaces. Workshops cover key topics ideal for an employee onboarding program, new managers or staff-wide training. Learning about unconscious bias, employee engagement, mental health, and workplace safety helps foster a positive work environment that enhances employee well-being and retention. This training empowers you to build respectful, productive, and mentally healthy workplaces that drive success.
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Cultural Awareness training gives you the tools to foster inclusivity, respect, and understanding in diverse environments. Workshops cover topics like cultural safety, anti-racism, and diversity (including 2SLGBTQI+) in the workplace, empowering you to navigate cultural differences, respond to racism, and support Truth & Reconciliation efforts. This training helps you build stronger, more inclusive communities by promoting equity, diversity, and respectful engagement with Indigenous cultures.
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Stewardship and Sustainability training helps you create environmentally responsible and culturally respectful tourism experiences. Through focused workshops, you’ll learn to integrate sustainable practices, regenerative tourism, and land stewardship into your business, ensuring long-term success while preserving natural and cultural resources for future generations.
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Tourism Management training provides you with essential skills to develop your destination, experience or business. Courses include identifying ideal guests, designing memorable experiences, and optimizing operations. You’ll learn how to price strategically, package travel, refine visitor experiences, and leverage industry trends to drive business growth.
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Indigenous Cultural Tourism training equips you with the skills to authentically integrate Indigenous knowledge, values, and storytelling into your tourism experiences, fostering deeper connections between visitors and Indigenous cultures. Through workshops on Indigenous Ambassadorship, storytelling, community planning, and entrepreneurship, this training empowers you to enhance guest experiences while preserving cultural heritage and ensuring your community thrives and contributes to sustainable economic growth.
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This initiative offers numerous benefits, including an enhanced tourism network, new partnerships, and opportunities. It empowers Indigenous people to tell their own stories in their own way, building awareness of the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures in BC. Importantly, it ensures that Indigenous Peoples are visible and celebrated in their own territories.
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ITBC has received a legal opinion regarding our role in this project. Our engagement with specific stakeholders is focused on collaboration and support. We will not engage in activities that could impact rights and title, so the duty to consult is not anticipated to be a factor in our involvement with the Invest in Iconics project.
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The BC government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in the fall of 2019, requiring all government ministries to align their service plans with this important legal instrument. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport is committed to this alignment. We will embrace UNDRIP as our guiding framework, ensuring that all our work with partners respects and upholds the rights of Indigenous Peoples, fostering collaboration and positive outcomes.
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ITBC, as mandated by the First Nations Leadership Council, represents Indigenous tourism interests in British Columbia. While our primary focus is on stakeholders associated with our organization and active in the tourism industry, we aim to support a diverse range of stakeholders. This includes those who are market-ready and communities beginning to explore tourism as an economic opportunity. Many of our stakeholders are connected to BC First Nations communities, and we are dedicated to fostering meaningful engagement within the scope of our mandate.
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The Iconics is designed to complement the efforts of City Destination Marketing Organizations, Regional Destination Management Organizations, and individual stakeholder marketing campaigns. It aims to create globally compelling brands focused on place branding in the short term and destination development in the long term.