Indigenous Tourism FORUM of the Americas

The coronavirus that has impacted people everywhere has taken a terrible toll on Indigenous communities.Even though most Indigenous communities are locked down to outsiders for now, the virus won’t last forever. As the world slowly starts to recover from this pandemic, people heal and economies reawaken, tourists will begin to explore new places, revisit those they know well, and seek inspiration in new connections—with people, nature and culture.

How can Indigenous communities throughout the Americas plan for a post-pandemic reality? What steps can community leaders take now and as they look toward the future?

From October 12th through the 16th, the Indigenous Tourism Forum of the Americas will provide a timely platform for learning and exchange.

OCTOBER 12 - 16, 2020VIRTUAL FORUM

Tourism offers Indigenous people a way to…

• Reclaim, maintain, shape and share their traditions & narratives.

• Generate economic opportunity.

• Respond to growing traveler demand for authentic experiences.

• Determine their fate and improve their quality of life.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIGENOUS TOURISM TOURISM’S PROMISE & POTENTIAL

The Indigenous Tourism Forum of the Americas will establish the launch of a movement to bring Indigenous people from across the Americas together to retrace connections, drive understanding, and create sustainable tourism opportunities. Join us as we re-establish ancient networks and connections and find our way forward so that Indigenous people everywhere are inspired and empowered to determine their own fates and futures. We look forward to seeing you there.

To learn more, please visit http://indigenoustourismforum.org/

“There’s a real invisibility when it comes to Indian people, we don’t show up in the media,

we don’t show up in textbooks, we don’t show up in everyday conversation. Folks don’t know

Indians or anything about Indians”.—Michael Roberts, First Nations Development Institute

• Defining and Managing Tourism from an Indigenous Perspective

• Ensuring Authenticity

• Protecting Cultural and Natural Heritage

• Re-establishing Connections in the Americas through Tourism Products and Experiences

• Fostering Partnerships and Financing Sustainable Indigenous Community Tourism

• Co-creating Community-Based Rural Tourism Guidelines

• Reopening Planning and Protocols

• Share common experiences, repair and rebuild.

• Learn good practices for tourism management.

• Engage new audiences.

• Build a cohesive narrative around cultural heritage tourism.

• Network with Indigenous & industry leaders.

• Generate new ideas.

• Re-establish connections & ties.

• Amplify the message around cultural heritage tourism.

• Foster collaboration among communities, North & South.

• Launch a movement designed to help communities ensure their well-being on their own terms.

SAMPLE topics

FORUM objectives

Five days of pre-recorded and live sessions including roundtable discussions, workshops, keynotes, virtual tours, and networking.

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