From the bustling city streets of Toronto and Montreal to the wintery slopes in Whistler, BC, and the picture perfect view of the Atlantic shores, the tourism industry is undoubtedly a huge economic driver in Canada. But there's more to offer than just sightseeing and ski hills, some of which is present within the communities of Canada's first inhabitants.

Aboriginal tourism in Western Canada continues to grow as more visitors from around the globe are finding fun in the rich culture and history of Canada's aboriginal communities. BC has set a goal of doubling their tourism revenues by 2015—an effort that very much includes aboriginal businesses and its 200-plus communities across the province.

The scope of tourism

Aboriginal tourism is very diverse in BC. It could be cultural centres, restaurants, outdoor venture experiences, hotels, accommodations, says Keith Henry, chief executive officer of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, listing the wide range of aboriginal tourism experiences. What needs to be at the core of all aboriginal tourism is really the cultural interpretation of that area and the people that are supported by the community.

For Elsie Burton, operations assistant at the Haida Heritage Centre, located in Haida Gwaii in BC's northwest coast, she sees tourists from around the world visiting the centre's museum and attractions, which include canoeing, weaving, and totem pole tours.

What we want people to come away with is a greater sense of what it is to be Haida, our cultural structure, social structure, history—so just to give people a well rounded idea of who we are, she explains. At the Haida Heritage Centre, part of our mission statement states that this is our gift to the world.

At the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, the team strives to ensure authenticity. What [we] provide consumers, travel agents, and sales agents is quality assurance and getting an authentic experience that's owned and operated by the communities and entrepreneurs directly, says Henry.

Then and now

The stress of authenticity has lead to a major improvement in the aboriginal tourism industry today versus a decade ago. You sometimes have people that are scripting and not really knowing and living the art and the culture, says Burton, so it's really nice to know that we actually have people that were born and raised here and they can give a really personal perspective.

Aboriginal tourism has become a serious player in BC's tourism industry in the last decade, Henry adds. On the other side of the equation with the aboriginal communities, it has almost created a cultural revitalization and renaissance because communities are embracing culture. You can see the pride when businesses are doing well.

With the revitalization within BC's aboriginal communities, there has also been growth in the job market. We are growing at a rate of about 10 per cent each year, says Henry. In 2006, our industry provided us with 1,400 full- and part-time jobs whether directly with our business, or aboriginal-type experiences with non-aboriginal operators.

Photos: Mark Wikkerink/Thinkstock