Intrepid Travel has signed a partnership agreement with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), committing CA$500,000 over the next five years to support the growth and promotion of Indigenous tourism across Canada.
Through the agreement, Intrepid will lift the number of Indigenous led experiences included in its Canada itineraries, working with communities to develop new tourism products and create signature adventures centred on Indigenous culture. The operator has set a target for 75% of its Canadian tours to feature at least one Indigenous experience by the end of 2026, with a longer term aim for every itinerary to include Indigenous content.
Intrepid will draw on the association’s network of accredited Indigenous tourism businesses, with experiences intended to be authentic, community led and designed to deliver benefits to the communities hosting travellers.
Christian Wolters, President of Canada at Intrepid Travel, said the goal is for every traveller visiting Canada with Intrepid to leave with a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and a stronger connection to the places they visit.
Keith Henry, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, said interest in Indigenous tourism is increasing while many Indigenous led businesses continue to face barriers including limited funding and infrastructure. He said partnerships of this kind can create real opportunities, ensure communities receive direct economic and cultural benefits and support the ambition for Canada to become a world leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.
The partnership is structured around two focus areas, development and promotion. Intrepid will invest CA$50,000 a year into the Indigenous Tourism of Canada Destination Fund to support the association’s work in building Indigenous led tourism businesses and community driven experiences. The company will also commit a minimum of CA$50,000 a year to promote Indigenous tourism in Canada through activity such as media trips, advertising and influencer campaigns, developed in consultation with the association.
Wolters said Intrepid’s approach to responsible travel is grounded in ensuring tourism delivers meaningful benefits for local communities, adding that the partnership aligns with the company’s expansion plans in Canada.
That expansion includes a new operational hub planned for Squamish, British Columbia, in 2026, aimed at boosting local hiring and broadening the range of experiences offered nationwide. Intrepid said the new agreement is intended to help create lasting economic opportunities for Indigenous communities as its Canada program grows.
As part of its wider responsible travel focus, Intrepid said it expects to offer more than 100 experiences with Indigenous communities globally in 2026.
In Australia, Intrepid has also been building its work with First Nations communities through product partnerships and longer term commitments.
This includes a partnership with Yalka Ratara Aboriginal Corporation connected to a Palm Valley experience in Central Australia, as well as collaboration with Indigenous owned operator 100% Finke River Culture & Adventure for a Larapinta Trail trip guided by First Nations leaders.
Intrepid has also supported capability building through a national mentoring program for First Nations tourism businesses, alongside its reconciliation commitments under its Reconciliation Action Plan framework.
Images courtesy of ITAC.
