Indigenous Tourism Innovators Awarded “Spark” Grants and Mentorships Across BC
Coast Salish Territories / Vancouver, BC (February 11, 2022) – Destination BC, as the presenting partner of the British Columbia Tourism Innovation Lab, has announced the winners of the Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program in British Columbia. The three winners were each awarded a $5,000 grant, a three-month mentorship, and additional partner support to help them develop their Indigenous tourism ideas.
Over the fall, Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations across British Columbia were encouraged to submit Indigenous tourism ideas to enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.
The top five finalists presented their Indigenous tourism ideas at a virtual pitch session held on February 10, 2022. A judging panel of partner representatives and an Indigenous tourism entrepreneur selected the three winning applicants.
The Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program 2022 winners are:
- Chelsea Jones – Dug Out Canoes
- Dora Demers – Big Bar Guest Ranch
- Ryan Leask – Wyld North Outfitters
The Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program is presented by Destination BC in collaboration with Indigenous Tourism BC and additional support from TD Bank.
For more information visit https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/itbc
QUOTES
Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC “We are pleased to be awarding “Spark” grants and mentorships to three Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs. It will be exciting to see these winning initiatives come to fruition and build upon BC’s remarkable Indigenous tourism offerings.”
Brenda Baptiste, Board Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC “Thank you to all ITBC “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program participants–Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations who stepped forward to share a sample of Indigenous excellence. Congratulations to the winners. We hope these mentorships and grants will support your skill and dedication to innovation in Indigenous tourism in BC.”
Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab. “We congratulate the 3 winners of the Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program, and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting Indigenous tourism initiatives across British Columbia”.
Media Contacts:
Indigenous Tourism BC
Nine Point Agency | www.ninepointagency.com
Kaya Arai | [email protected]
Kerry Hittinger | [email protected]
Destination BC Media Relations
Email: [email protected]
Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab
Phone: 416-712-8819
Email: [email protected]
About:
Indigenous Tourism BC:
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is a non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and cooperative marketing programs, ITBC is a resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in BC who are operating or looking to start a tourism business. ITBC works closely with tourism, business, education and government organizations to help BC’s Indigenous tourism businesses offer quality experiences and actively promote these experiences to visitors and local residents.www.indigenousbc.com
About Destination BC:
Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. Destination BC’s programs help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities across the province, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: http://www.DestinationBC.ca/
About Tourism Innovation Lab:
The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs. Launched in Ontario in 2018, the Lab and its “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program have expanded to British Columbia in 2021. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and is based at the University of Windsor-EPICentre. For more information, please visit: https://www.tourisminnovation.ca
