Indigenous Tourism on the Rise: How Communities and Tour Operators Are Shaping a More Responsible Future
Discover how Indigenous tourism is expanding globally and why responsible travel is key to supporting cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and sustainable community development.
A Sámi family welcomed a small group of Klättermusen Experiences’ guests to their property in January. They shared all about their way of life, from traditional foods to clothing, and introduced the group to a few of the reindeer. Photo credit: Arnaud Mallez / Klättermusen Experiences
A beam of light danced down through the opening of the ruca (traditional Mapuche hut), illuminating the smoke-filled room as Isabel Naguil ground locally-grown chilis for merkén, a smoky chili spice used in traditional Mapuche cuisine. Our team of filmmakers sat around the kütral (fire) listening to Isabel share her story on how she became one of the most prominent female Mapuche leaders of Indigenous tourism in Chile. As she told her story, she prepared our afternoon meal: a gastronomical smorgasbord of ensalada de cochayuyo (seaweed salad), pico de gallo, sopaipillas (flat fried bread), and meat—cuisine that has been passed down from generation to generation. “My love for cooking came from my mother, who began teaching me as a small child,” Isabel told us. “And now it is my pleasure to share my heritage, culture, and traditions with you,” she added.
Indigenous tourism is experiencing significant growth, fueled by increased traveler interest in authentic cultural experiences and economic empowerment for Indigenous communities. Per recent research conducted by Future Markets Insights, the sector is projected to contribute $67 billion to the global economy by 2034, which could have a beneficial impact on Indigenous communities, especially if this kind of tourism is done responsibly. Responsible Indigenous tourism ensures that Indigenous people benefit directly economically, culturally, and environmentally from tourism, and that they are in charge of all aspects of the tourism experience. It works to protect and showcase their culture, traditions, and land while also producing an exceptional experience for their guests.
The success and sustainability of Indigenous tourism rely on strong partnerships among communities, tour operators, and government agencies. Offering a diverse range of experiences—from cultural tours and outdoor adventures to traditional culinary practices—Indigenous tourism also supports efforts to reclaim and manage ancestral lands, deepening visitors’ connection to Indigenous history and identity.
So, how can Indigenous tourism be done responsibly and be woven into travel itineraries to provide a meaningful and impactful experience for both traveler and community? We asked three tour operators based in Chile, Panama, and Sweden about their approach.
Cristian Levy, CEO and Founder of Amity Tours
Amity Tours is the leading tour operator of Chile’s Lake and Volcano District, centered in Pucón, the capital of adventure tourism. Since their creation in 2003, Amity Tours has led adventures throughout Southern Chile (and some parts of Argentina) in the Atacama Desert and Patagonia, while also incorporating impactful Indigenous experiences within their itineraries.
Photo on left courtesy of Nicole Melancon. Photo on right courtesy of Hass Salum - Isabel Naguil, owner of Foye Mapu
Why is it important for tour operators to include Indigenous tourism in their itineraries?
I believe any adventure trip must have a “people” component, so we typically include long, meaningful encounters with local people. The human connection will leave a much stronger mark on the traveler as memories of their journey in-destination. You may remember the beautiful landscape, but if that includes stories told by local people, then that memory will stick forever.
On many hiking and biking trips, we spend time with Indigenous groups. In the Atacama desert, we hike with the Aymara and Lican Antai people. In the Lake and Volcano district, we mountain bike in the land of the Pewenche people.
What are the “Do's and Don'ts” of how to successfully include Indigenous tourism experiences in your itineraries?
When it comes to working with Indigenous people, there are a few things to consider:
Make sure they understand you don’t want any performances or “shows.” You want them to be authentic, with simple interactions that respect their culture.
Never pressure them to do or perform something private or sacred for their people.
Understand that Indigenous people are slow-paced and that you can’t stage their traditions to appeal to foreign visitors. A successful experience means giving it the right amount of time (not rushing to fit it into the itinerary).
Usually, Indigenous communities charge a price that underestimates the real value of their culture. We typically work with them to charge a fair price.
Lastly, the first approach with Indigenous communities must be meeting their social codes, such as making sure you get to know each other before going over price details and sales conditions. Typically, we allow a whole day to spend with them, drink “mate,” and finally agree.
Iván X. Eskildsen, Founder and CEO of OGAYA Travel
OGAYA is a regenerative travel operator for high-end transformative experiences in Panama, offering up-close and personal encounters with majestic nature, exotic wildlife, and the living culture of rural and indigenous communities. The name OGAYA, inspired by the Emberá word meaning “detach” and “open eyes,” embodies their vision. It invites travelers to step away from the familiar and open their eyes to new ways of engaging with the world, fostering a deeper connection to nature, authentic communities, and self.
Photos courtesy of Ivan X. Eskildsen - Guna Yala in Panama
Why do you feel it is important to include indigenous tourism experiences in your itineraries?
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with Mother Earth. Only five percent of the population of the planet is Indigenous, and they help preserve eighty percent of the world’s biodiversity. As we face the global climate and biodiversity crisis, and many people seek ways to live in a more balanced way with our planet, I believe there are many things we can learn from the ancestral wisdom of Indigenous peoples around the globe.
For OGAYA Travel, Indigenous tourism experiences represent a unique opportunity to learn insights from their vision of the world, connected to the cycles of the Earth. They generously open the doors of their communities to show us a glimpse into their simple way of life, which helps us open our eyes to new ways of understanding our world.
Of course, this does not mean that they are free of problems, so as part of our regenerative approach, we believe in forming partnerships so that our visitors can contribute to the impact projects we establish with them, aspiring to help improve their well-being.
What are the “Do's and Don'ts” of how to successfully include Indigenous tourism experiences in your itineraries?
We believe that the best approach is in the co-creation of experiences with Indigenous communities. There are some rituals or traditions that they prefer to leave only for their use, and not for outsiders, and we respect that. So, following a “Free Prior and Informed Consent” process, in the communities we work with, they present their proposals to their formal structures for approval.
Once we have an experience approved, we also have a very intentional approach when we bring visitors to their communities. Our company, OGAYA, serves as a liaison between the community and external visitors, helping to prepare both the visitors and the communities for a meaningful exchange. We ask our visitors to have a respectful approach, and the communities in return put their hearts into the experience, and show us their sacred traditions with solemnity.
We avoid superficial, “over-produced” experiences that feel more like a show than an authentic glimpse into their traditional way of life.
Give a couple of examples of how you have included Indigenous experiences in your itineraries:
In the Indigenous territory of Guna Yala, most visitors only enjoy their pristine white-sand islands and turquoise waters, without having much contact with the local culture.
When designing our itinerary there, we approached the elders of the Guna Cultural Congress and asked them how we could support them through our itineraries. As we signed an agreement with them, they shared their deepest concern, one that carried the weight of generations:
They told us that their youth is losing touch with their heritage, and shared a beautiful project that represented a solution: Bingandi—a sacred learning center where young apprentices learn the wisdom of natural medicine and ancestral chants, guided by the inaudible, their medicine man.
Recently, inspired by their vision and with the generosity of our visitors, an electrical system was donated for their Learning Center, representing a first meaningful contribution that we have been able to make as our visitors enjoy their beautiful islands, and at the same time learn from their ancestral heritage. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Yahnny San Luis-Wallgren, CEO Klättermusen Experiences
Klättermusen Experiences is a new sustainable travel company offering premium, small-group adventures for travelers seeking meaningful connections with nature and local cultures. Founded in 2024 as an independent venture by Klättermusen, Klättermusen Experiences designs multi-activity itineraries with sustainability at their core, minimizing environmental impact while supporting local communities. The company’s inaugural trips launch in 2025 across the Nordic region, with plans to expand globally in 2026. To sign up for the waitlist, visit www.kmexperiences.com.
A Sámi family welcomed a small group of Klättermusen Experiences’ guests to their property in January. They shared all about their way of life, from traditional foods to clothing, and introduced the group to a few of the reindeer. Photo credit: Arnaud Mallez / Klättermusen Experiences. Photo credits: Arnaud Mallez / Klättermusen Experiences.
Why do you feel it is important to include Indigenous tourism experiences in your itineraries?
No traveler can understand a place without knowing its people. Meeting the Sámi people who have called parts of the Nordics home for more than 10,000 years and learning how they thrive here is hugely impactful for our guests. To learn about their way of life and traditions adds context to our guests' own experiences here. For the Sámi people, educating visitors about their culture is also an important way to perpetuate it, plus it creates economic opportunities in the community.
What are the “Do's and Don'ts” of how to successfully include Indigenous tourism experiences in your itineraries?
The most important thing we've found is to look at the relationships we have formed over our team’s combined experience of decades in hospitality. As we designed all of our trips, we leaned into a “locals know best” mindset. We wanted to make sure that guests could have an immersive experience, and also ensure that we’re producing each itinerary in a way that is respectful for local communities (for example, looking at places we could be invited into by locals). It can't be an exploitative relationship; we want them to feel good about our interactions just as much as we want our guests to have a good experience. We also want it to be a genuine interaction, not a show. Our guests love to talk to new people and connect on a personal level, just as much as they love to learn about traditions like reindeer herding.
Give us a couple of examples of how you have included Indigenous experiences in your itineraries.
On our inaugural trip, we dined with a local Sámi family, who are reindeer herders. Our small group was invited onto their property to spend the evening, so it felt very personal, and our guests were able to have real conversations with our hosts. We learned all about their way of life, from traditional foods to clothing. The grandmother performed joiks (traditional songs), several of which she wrote herself, making it a special experience. And of course, we met (and fed!) a few of the reindeer.
Another highlight was our time with June, an Indigenous guide who took a few guests snowshoeing. The physical activity is a great way to connect with the land, but June gave the experience a cultural perspective as well. She lent mittens to one of our guests that were made with an Indigenous approach. She was able to share all about the traditional and modern patterns used in clothing, and share other insights about what it’s like to be Indigenous in today’s world.
The Future of Indigenous Tourism
As Indigenous tourism continues to grow, it holds the potential to reshape the travel industry into one that honors cultural heritage, empowers communities, and fosters meaningful connections between travelers and the people whose lands they visit.
Responsible Indigenous tourism is not just about offering unique experiences—it’s about respect, collaboration, and stewardship. By supporting initiatives led by Indigenous communities and working thoughtfully with them, we can help ensure that tourism becomes a powerful force for cultural preservation, economic resilience, and a deeper, more authentic understanding of the world we share.