THE LUXE REPORT - Report - Page 20
Indigenous experiences
This ties well with the shi to more transformational experiences,
discussed earlier in the report. Creating the opportunity for
genuine human connections within an incentive programme can
help elevate it from being a nice trip, to being a transformational
experience.
In Canada, there has been an increased demand for indigenous
experiences and tourism boards are actively supporting and
promoting them to event and incentive planners. Not only can
planners play a big role in supporting cultural sustainability and
heritage conservation by featuring indigenous experiences and
communities, but participants benefit by gaining unique insights
based on a deep connection to the land and lessons passed down
through generations.
“Meeting somebody from an indigenous community, who can
really talk about the land in a way that reflects that culture that
has existed for thousands of years can really make a difference
to an event or incentive,” says Royce Chwin, president and CEO
CEO of Destination Vancouver.
“An indigenous experience with an elder is hard to describe
because it is so personal and one of a kind. It completely depends
on that elder and what that elder will bring to the group. I've been
fortunate and grateful to enjoy experiences with several elders, and
they were all very different. But I guarantee you will walk away
with a different sense of personal connection and wellbeing if that
is very hard to put into words.”
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