ABORIGINAL ECOTOURISM ABORIGINAL ECOTOURISM IN ONTARIOIN ONTARIO

Dr. Sonya Dr. Sonya GraciGraciNatalie ThiesenNatalie ThiesenTed Rogers School of Hospitality Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Tourism Management, Ryerson UniversityRyerson UniversityEcotourism & Sustainable Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008Tourism Conference 2008October 27October 27--28, 200828, 2008

OutlineOutline

QuestionQuestionBackgroundBackgroundResearch MethodsResearch MethodsFindingsFindingsRecommendationsRecommendationsConclusionConclusion

Why?Why?

To determine the current state and To determine the current state and potential of Aboriginal ecotourism in potential of Aboriginal ecotourism in Ontario Ontario To determine the barriers to development To determine the barriers to development of this form of tourism. of this form of tourism.

BackgroundBackground

3.8 percent of the Canadian population is 3.8 percent of the Canadian population is Aboriginal, including First nations, Inuit Aboriginal, including First nations, Inuit and Mand Méétis (Statistics Canada, 2006). tis (Statistics Canada, 2006).

1 in 10 Aboriginal people live in Ontario 1 in 10 Aboriginal people live in Ontario and in the western provinces (Statistics and in the western provinces (Statistics Canada, 2006).Canada, 2006).

Aboriginal TourismAboriginal Tourism

Currently, it is Currently, it is estimated that estimated that Aboriginal tourism Aboriginal tourism represents 0.5 represents 0.5 percent of Canadian percent of Canadian tourism tourism

Aboriginal EcotourismAboriginal EcotourismAboriginal ecotourism is one of the most Aboriginal ecotourism is one of the most unknown concepts or ideas in the unknown concepts or ideas in the industry and is vaguely regarded by industry and is vaguely regarded by tourists, tourism marketing agencies, tourists, tourism marketing agencies, members of the government and members of the government and aboriginal communities themselves. aboriginal communities themselves.

Research MethodResearch Method

18 semi18 semi--structured, key informant structured, key informant interviews interviews Various stakeholders such as academics, Various stakeholders such as academics, Chiefs, government, tourism operators Chiefs, government, tourism operators and aboriginal associationsand aboriginal associations

Major FindingsMajor Findings

6 main barriers were identified6 main barriers were identifiedNo agreed upon definitionNo agreed upon definitionInadequate resourcesInadequate resourcesLack of education and trainingLack of education and trainingPoor product development and marketingPoor product development and marketingResistance to sharing cultureResistance to sharing cultureBureaucracy Bureaucracy

DefinitionDefinition

No universal, cohesive definition of No universal, cohesive definition of Aboriginal EcotourismAboriginal EcotourismComponents of the definitionComponents of the definition

Being owned and operated by AboriginalsBeing owned and operated by AboriginalsBeing nature basedBeing nature basedWell being of the communityWell being of the communityPreservation of local culturePreservation of local cultureEducation and sharing of Aboriginal lifeEducation and sharing of Aboriginal life

Definition of Aboriginal Definition of Aboriginal EcotourismEcotourism

33%

78%

22%

50%

56%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Owned and operated byAboriginals

(at least 51%)

Focus on nature & environment

Focus on maximizingcommunity benefits

& well being

Local culture history & traditions preservation

Education & sharing ofaboriginal life

Common Themes

% fa

vour

able

Inadequate ResourcesInadequate Resources

Lack of:Lack of:FundingFundingSkilled employeesSkilled employeesLeadershipLeadershipExpertiseExpertise

Inadequate ResourcesInadequate ResourcesMany Aboriginals do Many Aboriginals do not see tourism as a not see tourism as a lucrative industrylucrative industry

SeasonalitySeasonalityLack of exposure to Lack of exposure to best practicesbest practices

Lack of Education/TrainingLack of Education/Training

A need to develop business skillsA need to develop business skillsBusiness plansBusiness plansProposal developmentProposal developmentMarketing strategiesMarketing strategiesMaintenance of financial recordsMaintenance of financial records

Need for extensive service trainingNeed for extensive service training

Poor Product DevelopmentPoor Product DevelopmentMarketingMarketing

Lack of market ready productsLack of market ready productsService standards not metService standards not metAuthenticity of the product must be Authenticity of the product must be maintainedmaintained

Poor Product DevelopmentPoor Product DevelopmentMarketingMarketing

Significant Aboriginal Significant Aboriginal Tourism ExperiencesTourism Experiences

CanadaCanada’’s Significant 29s Significant 29Canadian Cultural ToursCanadian Cultural ToursCree Village EcoCree Village Eco--LodgeLodgeGreat Spirit TrailGreat Spirit Trail

Resistance to Sharing Resistance to Sharing CultureCulture

Sacredness of Sacredness of traditionstraditionsSelling spirituality as Selling spirituality as a tourism producta tourism productCommoditizationCommoditizationResistance from Resistance from communitiescommunities

BureaucracyBureaucracy

Bureaucratic proceduresBureaucratic proceduresCommunity approvalCommunity approvalGovernment bureaucracyGovernment bureaucracy

Aboriginal Ecotourism Aboriginal Ecotourism DevelopmentDevelopment

Focused on sustainabilityFocused on sustainabilityIncreasing economic developmentIncreasing economic developmentReducing reliance on government Reducing reliance on government assistanceassistancePreservation of culture, heritage and natural Preservation of culture, heritage and natural environmentsenvironmentsIncreasing community capacityIncreasing community capacityKnowledge, skills and trainingKnowledge, skills and training

RecommendationsRecommendations

MultiMulti--stakeholder stakeholder partnership that partnership that incorporates all incorporates all stakeholders with a clear stakeholders with a clear vision and roles and vision and roles and responsibilities. responsibilities.

MultiMulti--stakeholder stakeholder PartnershipsPartnerships

Aboriginal communitiesAboriginal communitiesInvestorsInvestorsLevels of governmentLevels of governmentNational and regional tourism National and regional tourism associationsassociationsAboriginal tourism associationsAboriginal tourism associationsEmployeesEmployees

MultiMulti--Stakeholder Stakeholder PartnershipPartnership

Guidance, education and trainingGuidance, education and trainingIncreased marketing efforts Increased marketing efforts Support and recognition from funding Support and recognition from funding agenciesagenciesKnowledge exchangeKnowledge exchangeSharing of best practices Sharing of best practices Opportunities for leadershipOpportunities for leadership

ConclusionConclusion

Contact Information Contact Information

Dr. Sonya Dr. Sonya GraciGracisgraci@ryerson.casgraci@ryerson.cawww.accommodatinggreen.comwww.accommodatinggreen.comwww.theicarusfoundation.comwww.theicarusfoundation.com