The biggest trend in Indigenous tourism isn’t just increased visitor interest—it’s how the tourism experience itself has changed.
Traditionally, Indigenous tourism focused on the past—presenting living cultures as museum artifacts or a colorful bit of pageantry. But as communities have begun opening up their land and culture to visitors on their terms, the resulting tourism offers a powerful emotional connection and opportunity for education that travelers crave.
More than a canoe ride, or a hike to find medicine plants or see bears; modern Indigenous tourism shows people the land through a cultural lens, with guides who don’t shy away from teaching about the harsher truths of racism and colonization.
INSIDER TIPIndigenous tourism has a history of being exploitive. To avoid experiences where people in traditional dress are essentially put on display for photo-ops, look for Indigenous-led or partnered businesses that offer visitors cultural insight and personal connection while ensuring Indigenous cultures are treated with respect.
Read on for 12 remarkable Indigenous-led tourism experiences from around the world.
