Tourism Development Branch

Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation & Culture's [ATPRC] Tourism Development Branch helps to assist and facilitate growth and expansion of tourism facilities and attractions in the province. The Branch offers a range of information and advisory services, if you are:

  • Interested in starting and running a tourism business
  • Considering investing in Alberta's tourism industry
  • Wanting to expand your existing tourism operation

For more information, contact:

Craig Olmstead
Aboriginal Tourism Advisor
Tourism Development and Services Branch

Phone: (780) 427-0590
Fax: (780) 427-0778
E-mail: craig.olmstead@gov.ab.ca

 

Aboriginal Tourism

Aboriginal tourism is a sector of tourism that deals specifically with culturally reflective tourism activities by First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Aboriginal tourism operators can range from an individual start-up entrepreneur, to a large community-based installation like a museum or cultural centre. Aboriginal tourism activities span a diverse spectrum from individual arts, to large events like Pow-Wow, or Gatherings of Rodeos. Aboriginal cultural tourism can benefit all community members by:

  • Protecting and providing opportunities for community members to connect to cultural practices in a manner that reflects honour and distinction;
  • Encourgaes sharing local cultural perspectives with the rest of the world, while dispelling negative stereotypes of Aboriginal people;
  • Allows for new partnerships with neighbors, businesses and governments;
  • Provides wide ranging employment opportunities within the community, that reflect and build on that community's cultural heritage;
  • And, Aboriginal tourism gives specific skills development opportunities for support staff, front-line staff and management.