Through the Indigenous Tourism Leadership Group, co-chairs David Baffsky and Paul Ah Chee are developing an Indigenous Tourism Venture Capital Fund that has a viable commercial framework and a business plan that ensures investors can make a profit.

The Indigenous Tourism Leadership Group was established in June 2000 to advance employment opportunities in the tourism industry and facilitate mainstream connections. It works to encourage the economic, cultural and social development of the sector.

The group is a significant step forward because it melds the commercial acumen of its diverse membership with indigenous entrepreneurs. It will explore ways for developing commercially viable indigenous tourism product.

And like all products, tourism must be profitable.

A snapshot of indigenous business would probably reveal that too many are funded by equity rather than debt. And even the most rudimentary business handbook would suggest that some level of debt is a good operational discipline for a business. Equity is easier to squander. It provides less accountability and when it’s gone all obligations cease. So it’s not to the benefit of either Indigenous communities or for that matter, any part of the community to only have expensive equity in indigenous businesses.
Financing aside, indigenous tourism can be the platform for further economic development and in particular the growth of supporting small businesses.

For example, a wilderness tour operator will provide employment opportunities for mechanics needed to repair four wheel drives or the boats used by fishing tours.