Summer is shaping up to be bitter for Aboriginal tourism. On the one hand, the simplification of health measures and the growing visibility of Aboriginal people are stimulating this sector. On the other hand, financial difficulties and labor shortages hinder this recovery.
Survive the pandemic
The global pandemic is, as in several other areas of activity, weakening indigenous tourism, a sector that has previously experienced strong growth.
We were really affectedsaid Gregg Kanatewat, assistant manager at Auberge Maanitaaukimikw, in Chisasibi, northeast of James Bay.
The health restrictions imposed by the Cree government, along with restrictions from the Quebec Government, mean that only a few meetings have been able to take place at the hostel since the pandemic began.
Same story for the co-founder of the company Les épices du warrior, Daniel Picard.
The Huron-Wendat businessman explained the origins of his food business many lostdue to the absence of festivals, shows, restaurants, fairs, etc.
” Of course, we lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales. “
Picard admitted, however, that the pandemic forced his team to reinvent itself, prompting it to become one of the first Indigenous businesses in Canada to enter the Amazon Prime online platform. We now sell our plants through the largest planetary platform. It’s cool, it makes people work. he is glad.
Quebec Aboriginal Tourism (TAQ) director general, Dave Laveau, is pleased that 66% of Aboriginal promoters consider their business stable despite the pandemic, and that 36% have development projects.
He acknowledges, however, that 32% of promoters have lost employees, have left the industry, and that in some sectors the promoters have had to be more creative in some wayespecially due to the lack of cooks, reception staff and housekeeping staff.
TAQ however experienced an increase in the number of its members during the pandemic, in addition to having the allocation of funds and resources of all kinds to allow Aboriginal tourism organizations and businesses to be affected.
Revitalize the industry in the midst of the economic crisis
Dave Claveau, of TAQ, is hopeful about the return of activities, and ensures that thethe offer is ready in the field.
Gregg Kanatewat, is also optimistic in the coming months. He is convinced that his lodging place will generate revenue this summer, with Auberge Maanitaaukimikw fully booked until mid-August.
He pointed out, however, that the resumption of construction in Aboriginal communities has something to do with this: the inn will be occupied by builders throughout the summer, and is unlikely to begin accepting tourists until the fall.
Will these tourists come? Yes, Greg Kanatewat believes. The world cannot travel [durant la pandémie] he reasoned, explaining that the Cree nation has virtually no health restrictions. He added that the reservations of various organizations and companies will increase in the coming year.
Dave Laveau looks forward to good weather for native accommodations. He is also sure the Quebec public will respond.
Mr. Laveau cited a recent survey commissioned by TAQ at the Léger firm, which shows that 89% of Quebecers are interested in having an Aboriginal experience, but that 88% don’t really know how to do it.
This enthusiasm does not seem to be shared by Daniel Picard, who is concerned about the financial health of his business.
” The government is increasingly reluctant to lend, not to mention the lack of staff … “
So he admitted he had to turn to financing companies – a measure he considers costly and involves more collateral – to resolve the situation.
Daniel Picard, however, remains hopeful. He recounted his pride in telling customers that his spices allow them to clear their minds of things, especially looking at dark and cynical news about Aboriginals. We are told that eating our spices makes us smile … In the long run, we will win.he says.
A sign of the revival of the sector, the organizations Tourisme Montréal and Tourisme Autochtone Québec announced on Thursday a partnership to explore multiple partnership optionseveryone has a purpose to strengthen cooperation between the various players in Quebec’s tourism industry, while respecting their mutual values.
Among the collaborative projects, Tourisme Montréal plans to inform employees about Aboriginal realities, to identify places (ephemeral or permanent) to showcase Aboriginal culture and submit a bid for Montreal to host of the International Congress. indigenous tourism.
Indigenous tourism faces new challenges
Quebec Aboriginal Tourism does not hide its ambition, and wants to go beyond the provincial framework in advancing its attractions. The organization teaches thatone in three international visitors to Canada is interested in Indigenous tourism experiencesand seemed particularly focused on visitors from France and Germany.
However, this ambition will not come true any time soon. International tourism has not yet returned to full capacityexplanation by Dominic Lapointe, professor in the Department of Urban and Tourism Studies at the School of Management Sciences ofUQAM. In particular, he cited labor shortages and rising prices as causes of the decline in international tourism.
In the desire to be open to the world, Aboriginal tourism can, by desiring to please its clients, expose itself to the folklorization, simplification and distortion of communities.
However, in the eyes of Dominic Lapointe, folklorization is something inherent in tourism.
Dave Laveau does not share this view.
Indigenous tourism is done by the Indigenous people [...] This is human tourism, this is identity tourism, this is rapprochement tourism, this is pride tourismhe insisted. People, regardless of their country of origin, use tourism to say who they are, who they are and who we are.
Source: Radio-Canada
