Aboriginal Tourism - Product Development

Aboriginal tourism development is considered to have three distinct phases,

  • Start-up Operators - These are typically entrepreneurs that are interested in researching and building a business. If you are interested in information on how to start an Aboriginal tourism business.
  • Existing Operators - These businesses may have been operating, but are not considered fully market ready. Often there are some developmental/operational issues unresolved. If you are interested in information on how to enhance your development.
  • Market Ready Operators - These are often larger or long established operations that will have achieved relative stability. Often these operators will have coordinated their advertising with Travel Alberta, and TPRC. If you are interested in accessing additional marketing or developmental information.

Start-up Operators

As a start-up tourism operator, or someone merely considering starting an Aboriginal tourism operation, you should be prepared to undertake several different self-assessments to fully appreciate your intended operation's scope, viability and sustainability.

At Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC), we can collaborate with you in establishing your goals and assist you in meeting them. Some of the services we can provide include business and industry development information.

Listed below are some of the tourism development services that TPRC can assist you with:

  • Cultural Tourism as an economic generator for communities and individuals.
  • Developing strategies for enhanced sustainable community based tourism.
  • Community-based tourism planning - land use planning/social impact assessments; searching for funding; business research; and, tourism operator development assistance.

If you are interested in any tourism related information or, if you wish the Aboriginal Tourism Advisor to meet with you or your community on the potential development opportunities that tourism can provide, please feel free to contact TPRC's Aboriginal Tourism Advisor,

Craig.Olmstead@gov.ab.ca, or 780-427-0590.

Educational and funding resources, specific to a potential start-up operator is located in the Start-up Section of the Resources page, or by clicking on this link (Resources page).

Please note: Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture is not a direct funding source for development, but can provide direction to tourism development information and numerous funding sources.

Existing Operators

As an existing Aboriginal tourism operator you are likely interested in increasing your business clientele, business services, marketing and access to development funding. But, are you and your operation Market ready? Do you meet or exceed the expectations of your clientele? If not, which deficiencies can you address to meet your clients' or market's needs, and how can you do it?

At Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC), we can collaborate with you in assessing your intended goals and assist you in meeting them. Some of the services we can provide include business and industry development information and operational assessments to help you identify your operational strengths and weaknesses.

If you are interested in any tourism related information or, if you wish the Aboriginal Tourism Advisor to meet with you or your community on how to improve your tourism development opportunities, please feel free to contact TPRC's Aboriginal Tourism Advisor,

Craig.Olmstead@gov.ab.ca, or 780-427-0590.

Educational and funding resources, specific to existing operators is located in the Existing Operator Section of the Resources page, or by clicking on this link (Resources page).

Please note: Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture is not a direct funding source for development, but can provide direction to tourism development information and numerous funding sources.

Market Ready Operators

To be considered Market Ready, an operator will have achieved some consistency in service delivery and operational experience. At this phase, Travel Alberta in coordination with Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture will be working closely with Market Ready Operators to increase their development and marketing initiatives.

At Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC), we can collaborate with you in assessing your intended goals and assist you in meeting them. Some of the services we can provide include business and industry development and marketing information and operational assessments to help you identify your operational strengths and weaknesses.

If you are interested in any tourism related information or, if you wish the Aboriginal Tourism Advisor to meet with you or your community on how to improve your tourism development and marketing opportunities, please feel free to contact TPRC's Aboriginal Tourism Advisor,

Craig.Olmstead@gov.ab.ca, or 780-427-0590.

Educational and funding resources, specific to Market Ready operators is located in the Market Ready Operator Section of the Resources page, or by clicking on this link (Resources page).

Please note: Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture is not a direct funding source for development or marketing, but can provide direction to tourism development and marketing information, and numerous funding sources.