Pouring a cup of tea from her thermos, Indigenous guide Talaysay Campo explains the local ingredients and significance of the tea to her guests while they sit amongst the towering Douglas fir trees in Stanley Park. Although the park is one of the top tourist attractions in downtown Vancouver, the visitors on Talaysay's Talking Trees Tour are seeing it on a whole new level as she shares her tribe's knowledge of the surrounding plants and animals. Travelers increasingly seek local and authentic connections on their trips through tours such as this, driving the global growth of Indigenous tourism. "Indigenous tourism is growing faster than ever globally and Canada is leading this growth, with more than 20% of Indigenous tourism operators here in British Columbia," says Paula Amos, chief of marketing for Indigenous Tourism British Columbia. Indigenous tourism isn't just growing for tourists either; it is also seen increasingly as a positive opportunity for Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous tourism growth benefits travelers and tribes "More travellers are looking for meaningful experiences that give back, more Canadians are looking to learn and implement Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and more First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in BC are looking to support their communities, lands and economies through tourism," says Amos. "First Nations and Indigenous Peoples are telling their own stories; deciding how and what to share and creating a strong framework to ensure experience authenticity, cultural integrity and mutual benefit are upheld as Indigenous tourism grows globally." The luxury Fairmont Waterfront hotel in downtown Vancouver has seen the positive impact of Indigenous tourism in Canada with its Talking Trees Package in partnership with Indigenous-owned Talaysay Tours and Salmon n' Bannock, the only indigenous-owned restaurant in Vancouver. The package includes Talaysay Tours's signature flora and fauna tour through Stanley Park, a discounted premium room at the Fairmont, and a three-course meal at Salmon n' Bannock, which combines traditional Indigenous foods and local suppliers to make creative modern dishes. "We're proud to partner with Talaysay Tours and their Talking Trees experience, which offers our guests an authentic way to connect with the land and its stories," says Olivia Frankel, PR manager at Fairmont Waterfront. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to expanding the partnership so that even more visitors can experience this powerful connection to place." Talaysay Campo from Talaysay Tours is also grateful for their six-year partnership. "They are an amazing company to collaborate with, and their support for reconciliation in our city is truly commendable." Growth of Indigenous tourism outpacing general travel growth Skyscanner's 2024 Travel Trends found that 42% of the 18,000 travelers they surveyed want to explore destinations through cultural tours. Indigenous tourism is an obvious choice for those who desire an authentic cultural connection to a destination. "As the First Peoples who walked this land, we have a profound cultural understanding and a wealth of experiences to share, which I believe will greatly enrich visitors' appreciation for Canada," says Campo, summing up why she thinks that is an area with immense potential. And she is not the only one who sees that potential. The 2024 report of the World Tourism and Travel Council estimates that travel and tourism will grow globally at a rate of 3.7% over the next 10 years, while Indigenous tourism is projected to grow at a higher rate of 4.1%. They predict the niche market will reach a value of 67 billion by 2034. Demand from travellers is fueling a worldwide expansion in Indigenous-owned tourist businesses. Iconic destinations worldwide seen through an indigenous lens Indigenous Peoples and tourism boards around the world are seeing the opportunities in the growth of Indigenous tourism, not just in Canada. The United States, Australia and New Zealand are also adding more Indigenous-led experiences, especially at some of the most popular tourist destinations. Four hours west of Grand Canyon National Park, the Hualapai tribe has built the impressive Grand Canyon West, letting visitors experience the world-famous canyon through Indigenous eyes. Combining activities typical of a large resort, such as zipline adventures, hiking and biking trails, with an immersive experience into Hualapai culture makes the stay unique for travelers. The dazzling glass-bottom Skywalk on the property gives a bird's eye view of the canyon below, while traditional food, cultural performances and tribal ambassadors give visitors the authentic connection they want. One of the most popular activities is a rafting trip down the Colorado River with the Hualapai River Runners, who share their history and knowledge of the area with guests as they run the rapids. In Northern California near the Redwood National and State Parks, the Yurok people also use the river to connect with visitors. The tribe offers trips down the Klamath River in traditional redwood dugout canoes, one of the few places in the world to do so. After decades of campaigning by the tribe, recent dam removals restored the river and allowed salmon to return after a century-long absence, a cultural and spiritual cornerstone for the Yurok. Paddling the river with a Yurok guide allows travelers to experience the intertwining of history, culture, natural ecosystems and the effects of modern inventions while also experiencing the towering redwoods of the area. Covering the past, current and future of a tribe is also an aim of Tatanka Rez Tours, located on the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Oglala Lakota Oyate Tribe that borders Badlands National Park. Besides flora and fauna tours of the national park, they also offer tours of the reservation that cover important historical events, such as the Wounded Knee Massacre, as well as contemporary issues of the tribe. By sharing history, traditions and their modern experience, visitors can have a more complete cultural introduction to the world of the Lakota people. Australia and New Zealand are also global leaders in Indigenous tourism, recognizing that it can offer connections to culture and history in ways that other tourism can't. In Sydney, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of its most popular tourist attractions. And now you can opt to do it with an Aboriginal storyteller, seeing the city through some of the stories and place names of the First Peoples. Elsewhere in Australia, Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours offers guided tours of its indigenous protected reserve on the Queensland coast. On the cruise upriver from Cairns to the reserve, you have a chance to see the famous saltwater crocodiles of the area while learning about the surrounding mangrove forest before disembarking for your rainforest walk with an Aboriginal guide. In New Zealand, Kahotapu Lodge invites guests on a Māori cultural journey that includes guided tours of their Ngāti Manawa tribal lands, plus meals, storytelling and interactive activities such as weaving or learning about haka during your stay. They don't market themselves as a luxury stay but as an authentic and heartfelt welcome to Māori lifestyles. Preserving culture through tourism From the Badlands to Sydney Harbor Bridge, Indigenous tourism is no longer niche; it's reshaping global travel. For Indigenous communities, the trend is about more than economics. It's about preserving traditions, sharing stories and shaping how the world sees them on their own terms. Amanda Luhn is a freelance travel writer who escapes from her never-ending cabin renovation by traveling, whether that is heading to her beloved Smoky Mountains or hopping on a plane to a new country. She writes for her family travel blog, Simply Awesome Trips, and her East Tennessee blog, Knoxville Backyard & Beyond.