The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Celebrates 26 Years as the Leader in Cultural Heritage Tourism and Formalizes New Global Indigenous Tourism Partnership at 26th Annual Event
Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference Kicks Off on Tribal Homelands of Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana; The three leading Global Indigenous Tourism Organizations unite to formalize new partnership; Star-Studded Keynotes from Tribal, Federal, State and industry partners as the national nonprofit celebrates 26 years
MARKSVILLE, La. (October 29, 2024) – Today, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States, kicked off its 26th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, La. on the tribal homelands of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and formalized a new global Indigenous tourism partnership a year in the making.
AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) opened the signature event with a powerful keynote address surrounding the 2024 AITC theme “Cultural Tourism: Changing the Narrative”, which comes at a critical time in the tourism industry as Indigenous tourism is on the rise and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-owned hospitality businesses contribute $15.7 billion in annual sales to the tourism and hospitality sector in the U.S., according to the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses Report, produced by AIANTA in partnership with Honolulu-based SMS Research.
“It is a pivotal moment for Indigenous peoples as they assert their agency, share their stories authentically, and showcase their rich cultural heritage,” said AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert. “This AITC underscores the transformative journey of native nations and communities in reshaping the narrative that has long been shaped by external forces. The narrative, once crafted and disseminated by others, is now being reclaimed and redefined by Indigenous voices themselves. This paradigm shift signifies a departure from the outdated notion of representation without participation; instead, it heralds a new era of collaboration and ownership, where Indigenous perspectives, rooted in centuries-old traditions and wisdom, take center stage.”
To underscore the importance of inclusive Indigenous tourism and cultivating partnerships, today a commitment pledge was signed by leaders from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, New Zealand Māori Tourism and AIANTA, as the three leading global Indigenous tourism organizations united to formalize the new endeavor, Destination Original Indigenous Tourism (DO-IT). The idea of the organization was first publicly discussed at AIANTA’s 25th Anniversary AITC in Durant, Okla. last October, and today the vision became a reality as AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert; Keith Henry, President & CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada; and Dale Stephens, Chair of New Zealand Māori Tourism Board formalized the organization during a keynote panel.
This week, AIANTA will preview a few projects several years in the making that are near completion, to include AIANTA’s partnership with the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a one-of-a-kind partnership with the National Park Service, as AIANTA chronicles the tribal destinations and Indigenous place names located on or near the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. AIANTA also unveiled the Great Basin tribal artwork selected for the California National Historic Trail poster. The partnership with the Bureau of Land Management supports cultural tourism development and will formally debut in December.
The national nonprofit also continues to celebrate and build upon its 26 years of strategic partnerships across Native Nations and communities, federal, state, and the travel industry as together they facilitate a thriving Indigenous tourism industry. Among those partners, keynote speakers at AITC this week include:
- Chairman Marshall Pierite, Chairman & CEO, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
- Keith Henry, President & CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Dale Stephens, Chair, New Zealand Māori Tourism Board
- Catherine Prather, CTP, President, National Tour Association
- Lisa Simon, CEO, International Inbound Travel Association
- Peter Dodge, Director of Public Affairs, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization of the U.S.
- Curt Cottle, Senior Policy Advisor/Team Lead for Outreach and Engagement, National Travel & Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Erik Stegman, CEO, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Lora Ann Chaisson, Principal Chief, United Houma Nation & AIANTA Board of Directors Vice President
“AITC is more than just a conference to us – it’s a highly-anticipated annual touch point that provides Indigenous peoples and our partners across multiple industries an inspirational assurance that we are on this journey together and the future of travel is bright for Indigenous tourism,” said Rupert.
Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Native culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
About AIANTA:
For more than 25 years, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Native board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $15.7 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) tourism that honors traditions and values while helping AIANNH businesses become market/export ready for domestic and international markets. Visit www.aianta.org to learn more.
Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com
Photo credit: AIANTA
Caption: Pictured left to right: Travis Owens, Vice President of Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism and president of AIANTA’s board of directors; Chairman Marshall Pierite, Chairman & CEO, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana; and Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of AIANTA at the 26th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference.