The World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA) mandate to engage in Indigenous tourism advocacy, facilitation and networking activities was recognised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in its endorsement of the Larrakia Declaration in 2012. One of WINTA’s advocacy strategies is to engage in research and development projects that promote the rights of Indigenous peoples in tourism, and among the priority actions to deliver this strategy is to develop & carry out WINTA’s Indigenous Tourism Engagement Framework (ITEF) through a rights-based approach. The framework is based on the principles of the Larrakia Declaration on the development of Indigenous tourism and is also aligned to a range of other international conventions, declarations & tourism industry guidelines.

The ITEF is a roadmap that is being developed to enhance respectful and reciprocal engagements between Indigenous communities and all other key players in Indigenous tourism.  WINTA uses platforms like community gatherings, conferences, seminars, workshops, research projects and consulting services to support rights-based Indigenous tourism engagements across the world.

This seminar will introduce you to the framework being developed with examples from WINTA’s global initiatives and through practical information shared by Kapiti Island whanau, with whom WINTA has recently facilitated a workshop on ITEF. Moreover, you will have an opportunity to provide your insights about tourism industry engagement with Indigenous peoples as rights-holders, and also on the potential role of academia in facilitating and supporting such initiatives.

About the presenters:

Johnny Edmonds, Ngapuhi
Johnny is the Director of the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA). https://www.winta.org/

Henok Alemneh, Oromo Nation, Ethiopia
Henok is a student of Master’s in Development Practice: Indigenous Development at the University of Winnipeg, Canada. He is currently on a field placement with WINTA through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship. https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/mdp/

John Barrett, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Raukawa and Te Ati Awa
John is the managing director and founder of Kapiti Island Nature Tours- and Nature Lodge, a family operated tourism business located on one of New Zealand’s premier nature reserves – Kapiti Island. https://www.kapitiisland.com/