A supportive relationship between two Fairmont hotel properties in Vancouver and the Indigenous Tourism British Columbia (ITBC) group was formalized at a signing ceremony at the Fairmont Waterfront this week.
General managers from the Fairmont Waterfront and the Fairmont Vancouver Airport joined the chief marketing officer of ITBC at a table to sign the new Partnership Agreements. These formalize the friendships that both hotels maintain with the provincial Indigenous tourism body, and convert those relationships into more effective collaborations.
“These long-term collaborations are designed to increase Indigenous visibility, strengthen cultural representation and create meaningful economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses,” says a release by ITBC. “Through coordinated marketing, storytelling and shared platforms, ITBC and its Fairmont partners will work together to connect travellers with Indigenous-led experiences and deepen understanding of the lands and cultures that define British Columbia.”
As such, the hotels agreed to make “contributions that support Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs, cultural programming and ITBC initiatives,” says the agreement.
“Our collaborations mark a meaningful step forward in strengthening relationships and increasing the visibility and identity of Indigenous cultures across British Columbia’s visitor economy,” said Paula Amos, chief marketing and development officer for Indigenous Tourism BC.
“Together with the support of partners like Fairmont Vancouver Airport and Fairmont Waterfront, we are building a future where travellers do not just see British Columbia, but understand it through an Indigenous lens. These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to reconciliation through tourism by visitors who are seeking deeper experiences.”
Supporting Indigenous tourism
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport will support Indigenous tourism through a range of in-kind initiatives, including Indigenous experience promotions for guests and media, cultural programming, opportunities for Indigenous artists and culinary storytelling within the hotel, and collaboration on media hosting that highlights Indigenous-led tourism and cultural landscapes throughout the province.
“Partnering with Indigenous Tourism BC allows us to share British Columbia’s story with our guests in a way that is authentic, respectful and led by Indigenous voices,” said Rudolf Heider, general manager of Fairmont Vancouver Airport.
The Fairmont Waterfront will continue to support initiatives that celebrate Indigenous cultures, integrate Indigenous perspectives into guest experiences and create opportunities for shared cultural programming within the hotel.
This commitment is reflected throughout initiatives like reduced-rate guest rooms for Indigenous entrepreneurs and cultural representatives, reduced-rate meeting rooms/event spaces for ITBC-led programming, the provision of opportunities to feature Indigenous experiences, artisans and/or storytelling in hotel marketing channels, and the continued promotion and display of Indigenous art collections in hotel public spaces, to name a few.
“We’re incredibly proud to formalize our partnership with Indigenous Tourism B.C.,” said Randall Williams, GM at the Fairmont Waterfront. “This agreement is grounded in respect, learning and a genuine desire to create positive impact. Together, we look forward to advancing Indigenous cultural representation through collaborative programming, community partnerships and meaningful storytelling.”
Indigenous flight tours
One of the supplier partners attending the signing ceremony was Gulf Island Seaplanes, represented by company owner Alison Evans. Its flight tours operate from the seaplane base at the Vancouver Airport South Terminal, while flights from Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, near to the city’s downtown core, are slated to restart in the spring.
Evans says she plans to bolster the Indigenous content of the airline’s inflight narrations, presented to passengers during flight seeing tours. She hopes to be able to increase the presence of Gulf Island Seaplanes for Fairmont guests through the newly-signed agreement.
“We want to reach a different market that we haven’t reached before, and we are excited that they (the Fairmont) are willing to include us and promote us,” said Evans.
“We are launching a narrated cultural experience flight that will be very unique,” she said, noting that local sights such as Stanley Park will be described through an Indigenous lens as part of the new flight tours.
In the photos
TOP
Co-signers of the Partnership Agreements were (l. to r.) Rudolf Heider, general manager of Fairmont Vancouver Airport; Paula Amos, chief marketing and development officer for Indigenous Tourism BC; and Randall Williams, GM of the Fairmont Waterfront.
MIDDLE
An Indigenous welcome song started the Partnership signing ceremony at the Fairmont Waterfront.
BOTTOM
The agreement co-signers meet with local media at the Fairmont Waterfront.
