Latest news with #GreatRiverFishingAdventures
CBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
'Terrible setback': Indigenous tourism industry says it's suffering as U.S. bookings decline
Social Sharing 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.
Hamilton Spectator
18-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Indigenous tourism feels the pinch from decline in US visitors and funding cuts
Dean Werk was supposed to be gearing up for a busy summer on the Fraser River in British Columbia. Instead, the Métis owner of Great River Fishing Adventures is watching his calendar empty out as American clients, once the lifeblood of his business, cancel trips one after another. Earlier this year, Werk's company — known for helping clients catch and release some of the biggest sturgeon on the river — lost a US group worth $85,000. 'We worked for two years to put this package together for them. And that booking got cancelled,' Werk said. Soon after, a $65,000 booking was also lost. Werk is concerned this is just the beginning and the sector could face a situation similar to the pandemic, when Indigenous tourism saw international travel collapse and struggled for years to partially recover. Across Canada, Indigenous businesses are reporting a significant drop in tourism from the United States. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) projected US bookings will fall nearly 70 per cent compared to last year, with advanced bookings for flights between Canada and the US expected to remain down by more than 70 per cent each month through September. Operators point to tariffs, geopolitical tensions and shifting travel advisories as key factors. Robert French, who manages Big Land Fishing Lodge in Newfoundland and Labrador, has seen similar declines and described the trend as reciprocal. 'Canadians going to the US have decided to stay at home. And I think this is vice versa. A lot of US people are trying to start to stay home and travel within their own country,' French said. For many Indigenous operators, the loss of American visitors is devastating. US travelers have historically accounted for the bulk of bookings, with international guests spending more and staying longer than domestic tourists. Werk said Indigenous tour operators often depend on the US market for as much as 60 to 80 per cent of their clientele. According to government documents, Indigenous tourism in Canada has still not recovered after the pandemic. The businesses generated $4 billion in 2019, but by 2023, that number had dropped to $3.7 billion — and the real value is even lower when adjusted for inflation. Now, as the industry hoped for a full rebound, operators are facing a new wave of challenges with even fewer safety nets. A central concern for the sector is the steep drop in federal funding . In Budget 2024, Ottawa invested $2.5 million for ITAC (which is not part of the government). That's less than 10 per cent of the $33 million the organization requested for operations, marketing and development as part of a 2030 strategy to make Canada a world leader in Indigenous tourism. The funding cuts forced ITAC to lay off about half its staff and halt support for smaller provincial organizations, putting their futures in jeopardy. Keith Henry, CEO and president of ITAC, said the reductions risk setting the industry back a decade and damaging its reputation among major tourism buyers and sellers. This year, federal support has fallen even further. For 2025-2026, Indigenous Services Canada funding is down to $1.25 million, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada has dropped to zero and Destination Canada's contribution is now $1.9 million. The total reduction amounts to $4.55 million, representing about a 68 per cent cut to ITAC in a single year. Henry said the sector is being told by the federal government that tourism is 'poised to do great in 2025,' but that message does not reflect the reality for Indigenous operators on the ground. The operators are also seeing a decline in tourists from other international origins beyond the US as a result of tensions between Canada and the US, and conflicts elsewhere. Henry said the situation is a serious setback for Indigenous-led tourism across the country. 'We've seen a continued decline of federal government support for Indigenous tourism. It feels like Canada has lost any true vision or interest to invest and believe in Indigenous-led tourism, despite public words,' Henry said. Indigenous Services Canada has yet to respond to Canada's National Observer's request for comment and further information. Meanwhile, international arrivals are dropping sharply . In March 2025, trips to Canada by US residents fell 6.6 per cent year over year, while arrivals from overseas residents plunged 17.4 per cent. The numbers are continuing to decline as trade tensions persist. In response to the decline in international tourists, ITAC has ramped up domestic marketing efforts, launching the 'Original Original' campaign to encourage Canadians to explore Indigenous tourism in their own backyard. The association has increased its presence through advertising, television commercials and bus wraps in major cities, such as Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax and Vancouver as well as the North. Henry said the efforts are crucial for raising awareness among Canadian travelers, but domestic tourism cannot make up for the loss of international visitors, especially Americans. 'Domestic travellers spend less and don't stay as long. International customers spend six to eight hundred dollars per person, versus a Canadian who spends maybe one to two hundred. The math doesn't make sense if we lose those international guests,' Henry said. While operators struggle with lost bookings and shrinking federal support, many are now contending with a new set of pressures making recovery even harder. In Churchill, Manitoba, David Daley is facing a 'triple hit.' Daley, a Métis long-distance dogsled racer who runs Wapusk Adventures, said wildfires have forced evacuations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, creating confusion for tourists and immediate ripple effects for local businesses, as the province urges people to avoid 'unnecessary travel' to the region. 'We're open for business, but then the province is saying we're closed for business. It's a mixed message that the tourists are getting,' Daley said. 'That's not very good news for the tourism industry.' He said there is no emergency fund to support operators through disasters like wildfires, leaving many exposed to sudden losses. On top of this, costs are spiraling. Daley said since the pandemic, insurance premiums for his hotel have soared, adding yet another burden to an already fragile sector. He has also diversified his offerings beyond dog sledding to e-bike rentals, a storefront, a hotel and Aurora viewing, but can't fully offset the uncertainty and financial strain facing the business. 'How many rooms do you have to rent to just pay your insurance? Never mind your loans to own up a piece of property like that?' he said. Indigenous tourism business operators have also reported rising costs for fuel, food, and equipment. Werk said uncertainty is weighing heavily on everyone in the industry and the federal government needs to recognize the scale of the crisis and act decisively. 'It's not just one year. It's cumulative over potentially the next three or four years until we get this all straightened out,' he said. 'If things don't change, I'm not sure how much longer we can keep going.' Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
National Observer
17-06-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Indigenous businesses feel the pinch from decline in US tourists and federal funding cuts
Dean Werk was supposed to be gearing up for a busy summer on the Fraser River in British Columbia. Instead, the Métis owner of Great River Fishing Adventures is watching his calendar empty out as American clients, once the lifeblood of his business, cancel trips one after another. Earlier this year, Werk's company — known for helping clients catch and release some of the biggest sturgeon on the river — lost a US group worth $85,000. 'We worked for two years to put this package together for them. And that booking got cancelled,' Werk said. Soon after, a $65,000 booking was also lost. Werk is concerned this is just the beginning and the sector could face a situation similar to the pandemic, when Indigenous tourism saw international travel collapse and struggled for years to partially recover. Across Canada, Indigenous businesses are reporting a significant drop in tourism from the United States. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) projected US bookings will fall nearly 70 per cent compared to last year, with advanced bookings for flights between Canada and the US expected to remain down by more than 70 per cent each month through September. Operators point to tariffs, geopolitical tensions and shifting travel advisories as key factors. "It feels like Canada has lost any true vision or interest to invest and believe in Indigenous-led tourism, despite public words,' Keith Henry, CEO and president of ITAC. Robert French, who manages Big Land Fishing Lodge in Newfoundland and Labrador, has seen similar declines and described the trend as reciprocal. 'Canadians going to the US have decided to stay at home. And I think this is vice versa. A lot of US people are trying to start to stay home and travel within their own country,' French said. For many Indigenous operators, the loss of American visitors is devastating. US travelers have historically accounted for the bulk of bookings, with international guests spending more and staying longer than domestic tourists. Werk said Indigenous tour operators often depend on the US market for as much as 60 to 80 per cent of their clientele. According to government documents, Indigenous tourism in Canada has still not recovered after the pandemic. The businesses generated $4 billion in 2019, but by 2023, that number had dropped to $3.7 billion — and the real value is even lower when adjusted for inflation. Now, as the industry hoped for a full rebound, operators are facing a new wave of challenges with even fewer safety nets. Federal support plummets A central concern for the sector is the steep drop in federal funding. In Budget 2024, Ottawa invested $2.5 million for ITAC (which is not part of the government). That's less than 10 per cent of the $33 million the organization requested for operations, marketing and development as part of a 2030 strategy to make Canada a world leader in Indigenous tourism. The funding cuts forced ITAC to lay off about half its staff and halt support for smaller provincial organizations, putting their futures in jeopardy. Keith Henry, CEO and president of ITAC, said the reductions risk setting the industry back a decade and damaging its reputation among major tourism buyers and sellers. This year, federal support has fallen even further. For 2025-2026, Indigenous Services Canada funding is down to $1.25 million, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada has dropped to zero and Destination Canada's contribution is now $1.9 million. The total reduction amounts to $4.55 million, representing about a 68 per cent cut to ITAC in a single year. Henry said the sector is being told by the federal government that tourism is 'poised to do great in 2025,' but that message does not reflect the reality for Indigenous operators on the ground. The operators are also seeing a decline in tourists from other international origins beyond the US as a result of tensions between Canada and the US, and conflicts elsewhere. Henry said the situation is a serious setback for Indigenous-led tourism across the country. 'We've seen a continued decline of federal government support for Indigenous tourism. It feels like Canada has lost any true vision or interest to invest and believe in Indigenous-led tourism, despite public words,' Henry said. Indigenous Services Canada has yet to respond to Canada's National Observer's request for comment and further information. Domestic marketing Meanwhile, international arrivals are dropping sharply. In March 2025, trips to Canada by US residents fell 6.6 per cent year over year, while arrivals from overseas residents plunged 17.4 per cent. The numbers are continuing to decline as trade tensions persist. In response to the decline in international tourists, ITAC has ramped up domestic marketing efforts, launching the 'Original Original' campaign to encourage Canadians to explore Indigenous tourism in their own backyard. The association has increased its presence through advertising, television commercials and bus wraps in major cities, such as Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax and Vancouver as well as the North. Henry said the efforts are crucial for raising awareness among Canadian travelers, but domestic tourism cannot make up for the loss of international visitors, especially Americans. 'Domestic travellers spend less and don't stay as long. International customers spend six to eight hundred dollars per person, versus a Canadian who spends maybe one to two hundred. The math doesn't make sense if we lose those international guests,' Henry said. Additional pressures mount While operators struggle with lost bookings and shrinking federal support, many are now contending with a new set of pressures making recovery even harder. In Churchill, Manitoba, David Daley is facing a 'triple hit.' Daley, a Métis long-distance dogsled racer who runs Wapusk Adventures, said wildfires have forced evacuations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, creating confusion for tourists and immediate ripple effects for local businesses, as the province urges people to avoid 'unnecessary travel' to the region. 'We're open for business, but then the province is saying we're closed for business. It's a mixed message that the tourists are getting,' Daley said. 'That's not very good news for the tourism industry.' He said there is no emergency fund to support operators through disasters like wildfires, leaving many exposed to sudden losses. On top of this, costs are spiraling. Daley said since the pandemic, insurance premiums for his hotel have soared, adding yet another burden to an already fragile sector. He has also diversified his offerings beyond dog sledding to e-bike rentals, a storefront, a hotel and Aurora viewing, but can't fully offset the uncertainty and financial strain facing the business. 'How many rooms do you have to rent to just pay your insurance? Never mind your loans to own up a piece of property like that?' he said. Indigenous tourism business operators have also reported rising costs for fuel, food, and equipment. Werk said uncertainty is weighing heavily on everyone in the industry and the federal government needs to recognize the scale of the crisis and act decisively. 'It's not just one year. It's cumulative over potentially the next three or four years until we get this all straightened out,' he said. 'If things don't change, I'm not sure how much longer we can keep going.'
