Dear Members and Friends:
Although just released, responses to our most recent survey regarding the impact of COVID – 19 are clear, the travel bans and shelter in place orders globally are having a significant impact on Cultural travelers to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian destinations with much of respondents seeing cancellations, reduced bookings and lost revenue. Respondents’ top priorities were funding support/loans and marketing support. As we move through this crisis, we are looking at the immediate needs of our communities along with what we will do as we move towards rebuilding.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
- Stay up to date and share information. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has information specific to COVID-19 here. Also be aware of your local and state recommendations, warnings and restrictions.
- For access to resources, if you are a small business see the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to apply for access to low-interest loans here. We will continue to update as more information on resource availability specific to COVID-19 becomes available. Please also see the AIANTA’s Funding for Cultural Tourism Resource page.
- Train while practicing social distancing through AIANTA’s webinar series with our federal partners specific to resource development opportunities. For more information and to register see the link here.
- Help us tell your story as you address the immediate concerns of your community and your business through our AIANTA survey here.
- For the longer-term, update your page, or start a page for your tourism product on NativeAmerica.travel. Participation on the only consumer facing website dedicated to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism product is without charge for qualifying tribes, tribal enterprises and/or native tourism organizations, businesses and product. To schedule a training on how to participate on NativeAmerica.travel, please contact Ms. Gail Chehak at gchehak@aianta.org.
AIANTA has also compiled a list of resources for our Fundraising webinar with funding programs that support or can build capacity for cultural tourism. We’ve posted this list on our website.
Sherry L. Rupert, Chief Executive Officer
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)