'Terrible setback': Indigenous tourism industry says it's suffering as U.S. bookings decline

CBC

5 hours ago

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Indigenous tourism operators in Canada say they're worried about their future as the number of American guests plummets amid political tensions between Canada and the U.S.
Indigenous tourism has been booming in Canada in recent years as people look for unique travel experiences and seek to learn more about Indigenous culture.
According to the Conference Board of Canada's latest report, the Indigenous tourism sector generated an estimated $3.7 billion in revenues in 2023, directly contributing $1.6 billion to Canada's gross domestic product.
The industry is warning hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars are now at stake.
Dean Werk, the Métis owner of Great River Fishing Adventures, which operates on the Fraser River in B.C., said his business has lost about $250,000 this season since U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war began.
"It's a terrible setback," he said. "This is actually tragic and terribly impactful to all Indigenous tourism businesses in Canada."
'Such an important market'
Werk is not alone. In April, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada surveyed about 100 Indigenous tourism operators that market to American clients. Nearly 70 per cent reported a drop in U.S. bookings.
Association president and CEO Keith Henry said American tourists account for up to 35 per cent of overall revenue for Indigenous tourism operators.
"Hundreds of jobs, if not thousands of jobs, are at stake here, if the season does continue to see declines," Henry said.
He estimated the industry could lose as much as $500 million this summer.
"We've been building Indigenous tourism and we've been focusing on the U.S. market … for many years," Henry said, adding that the U.S. is the sector's largest international market.
"It's such an important market for us."
WATCH | Indigenous businesses say they are losing U.S. clients:
Indigenous tourism operators see drop in U.S. visitors
4 days ago
Duration 2:00
Talaysay Campo, co-owner of Talaysay Tours, which offers nature walks, among other experiences around B.C., said U.S. corporate groups totalling about 1,000 guests have cancelled bookings for this summer.
"We've been building these relationships for the past 21 years, and to see them go, it makes me sad," she said.
She said total sales and revenue from Americans totalled about 33 per cent of the business last year — it's now dropped to 12 per cent.
Ottawa monitoring situation
In a statement to CBC News, the federal government said it "understands that the evolving dynamics in the Canada–U.S. relationship have direct and varying impacts on the tourism sector across the country, including Indigenous tourism operators."
It said it's "monitoring developments in this important sector and remains engaged with all tourism partners, including Indigenous partners."
Ottawa noted that more Americans visited Canada in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, adding there has been an increase in bookings to Canada from overseas travellers from countries such as France, the U.K. and Mexico.
The federal government said it has invested $20 million to support more than 330 Indigenous tourism businesses through the Indigenous Tourism Fund, and 15 per cent of the Tourism Growth program is set aside for Indigenous-led tourism programs.
While many Indigenous tourism businesses say they are struggling, a smaller eco-resort in B.C. is making some gains.
Klahoose Wilderness Resort, owned by the Klahoose First Nation on B.C.'s Desolation Sound, about 150 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, said its Canadian market has grown about 40 per cent over the last year.
"I think with everything that's going on in the world, a lot of people are looking at what else can I do that's closer to home," said Chris Tait, tourism manager for Klahoose Wilderness Resort.
The business hasn't seen any particular increase in cancellations, and American guests have increased by about 15 to 20 per cent.
But Henry from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada said he's not optimistic that Canadian bookings will help the overall industry make up for the loss of American ones.
"We're telling ourselves that domestic tourism is going to somehow mitigate all these problems. … I think it's going to help somewhat, but our U.S. customer base was spending a lot more per person than the average Canadian," he said.
Henry said the industry is trying to pivot to focus on other international markets.