Indigenous Tourism: A $67 Billion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) recently unveiled a groundbreaking report at the 2024 WTTC Global Summit in Perth, Australia, highlighting the significant economic potential of indigenous tourism. The report projects that this sector could contribute up to $67 billion to the global economy by the end of the decade.

Key Insights from the Report

Economic Impact: Indigenous tourism is emerging as a crucial economic driver, particularly in remote areas. It not only creates jobs but also generates economic value while promoting and preserving Indigenous cultures, languages, and lands. This sector allows travelers to engage with and learn about Indigenous histories and traditions firsthand.

Growth Projections: The global indigenous tourism market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% over the next ten years, reinforcing its role in empowering communities to take charge of their economic futures.

Sustainable Career Paths: Initiatives like Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Association (ITAC) exemplify how indigenous tourism can offer sustainable career opportunities, helping communities gain control over their economic destinies. Countries such as Australia and the U.S. are increasingly integrating Indigenous experiences into their tourism marketing strategies to ensure authentic representation.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the promising growth of indigenous tourism, many operators face challenges in securing funding. Initiatives like Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF) aim to raise CA$2.6 billion by 2030 to establish 800 new Indigenous businesses and create over 21,000 jobs. Such funding is essential for ensuring that Indigenous communities fully benefit from the burgeoning tourism industry.

The interest in aboriginal tourism experiences is notably rising in Western Australia, with 87% of visitors expressing interest and 36% actively participating in these experiences in 2023-2024. The aboriginal tourism sector contributed AU$63.8 million to Western Australia’s gross state product in 2021-2022.

In Canada, the indigenous tourism sector supports nearly 2,000 businesses and over 39,000 jobs, contributing CA$1.7 billion to the economy as of 2017. Similarly, in Panama’s Guna Yala region, tourism serves as a primary economic driver for sustaining the Guna people’s culture.

The WTTC remains committed to supporting Indigenous peoples globally in shaping their own tourism narratives, ensuring that indigenous tourism continues to thrive as a self-sustaining industry that benefits everyone involved.