Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas Set to Launch eLibrary

The idea for the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the America’s (ITCA’s) eLibrary originated last year, when the collaborative agreed that there was a priority need for an online library where Indigenous tourism businesses and community groups, governments, NGOs and everyone else interested in Indigenous tourism development could find tools and resources. 

In the fall of 2022, the ITCA announced an e-Library call for resources and received 127 submissions from 42 individuals and organizations. After expanding their submissions’ call, the eLibrary received more than 450 resources by June 2023. 

Once the Indigenous Tourism eLibrary was created and the ITCA website built in both English and Spanish languages, the eLibrary was submitted to 16 ITCA partners for beta-testing. Beta testers received a feedback survey on the site’s usability, and the group’s feedback edits are being finalized, with the eLibrary officially set to launch on August 9th, 11:00AM EDT. The registration link for this event can be found here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NEC1eK1sRuOpuv_9dbgy2g#/registration 

The eLibrary is only the first step of a multi-phase project that will allow ITCA to support and prompt communications between Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, and private companies. Going forward, ITCA plans to include a marketplace, job board, and an events calendar, among additional helpful resources, to support Indigenous tourism.