Indigenous Tourism Alberta and WestJet sign three-year strategic partnership agreement The partnership agreement with ITA immediately follows the unveiling of WestJet’s 787 Dreamliner summer schedule (link) out of Calgary, which includes direct, non-stop service to Tokyo, Japan and a broad expansion of the airline’s European service, with new direct routes to and from Scotland and Spain. As Alberta grows its international presence, the airline and ITA are committed to sourcing employment opportunities for indigenous Canadians to accommodate for increased inbound tourism. “Our expansive international network out of Calgary will provide ample opportunity to showcase a diverse array of Alberta-based Indigenous travel and tourism businesses. Indigenous tourism is an integral sector of Alberta’s economy that uniquely positions our province as a world-class tourism destination for international visitors,” continued Avery. “Today’s agreement with WestJet is an opportunity to further work together to ensure that WestJet travellers and team members are not only made aware of the different Indigenous cultures found across Alberta, but are also celebrating them,” says Shae Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Tourism Alberta. “Over the last several years, WestJet has shown tremendous support of the Canadian Indigenous tourism industry and we hope that other airlines follow their example in creating these partnerships to further grow the industry together.”