Partnership Development
We build strategic partnerships, both public and private, to extend the reach of tribes and ensure authentic tribal experiences.
AIANTA’s best work is done by connecting with tribal, federal, state and industry leaders. Through strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders, we are able to move our mission forward. Since our founding, we have worked to grow our existing relationships while attracting new partners to support our work.
Through our strategic partnerships, AIANTA works to educate state, federal and industry leaders so they support and facilitate a thriving Indian Country tourism industry. In our work with strategic partners, we help to cut through the noise of global tourism promotion to elevate tribal destinations among travelers, tour operators, travel agents, the media and nationally.
Our Valued Partners
Federal
- U.S. Department of Interior
– Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Technical Assistance Programs
– National Park Service
– Bureau of Land Management
– U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
– U.S. Bureau of Reclamation - U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
- U.S. Small Business Administration
State
Member Partners:
- Arizona Office of Tourism
- Colorado Tourism Office
- Hawaii Tourism Authority
- Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
- Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
- South Dakota Department of Tourism
- Wyoming Office of Tourism
Tribal
- National Congress of American Indians (MOU)
- National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
- Native American Rights Fund (MOU)
- National Indian Gaming Association (MOU)
- American Recreation Coalition
- American Association of Parks and Recreation
- American Indian Law Center
- Native American Tourism of Wisconsin
- Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes
Industry
- U.S. Travel Association
- National Tour Association (MOU)
- National Geographic Society Sustainable Destinations
- George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies
- International Tourism Marketing
- Western States Tourism Policy Council (MOU)
- Kilpatrick Stockton and Townsend (LOI)
- Powers Pyles, Sutter and Verville PC (LOI)
- Hobbs Straus Dean and Walker LLP (LOI)
- Akerman, LLP
AIANTA welcomes new partnerships to expand our impact and increase collaboration throughout Indian Country and the tourism industry.
If you are interested in joining AIANTA as a strategic partner, contact Hannah Peterson, AIANTA’s Development Director at hpeterson@aianta.org or 505.361.2168.
O me’a”kwa: AITC Is Around the Corner
It’s hard to believe we’re just one month away from our 23rd Annual American Indian Tourism Conference, which begins on October 25, in Fort McDowell (Arizona).
This year has been such a whirlwind with so many changes, so I’m excited for the chance to catch up with you all in Arizona.
I know every community is at a different level of readiness when it comes to fully re-implementing cultural heritage programming, so although tourism can be a path to economic recovery, it can’t come at the expense of our health, our safety and our peace of mind.
Planning for Cultural Tourism
In 2008, Akwesasne leaders built their “Sharing the Spirit” imitative, which eventually paved the way for the formalized Akwesasne Cultural Tourism Strategic Action Plan. Today, implementation of the plan has led to a new tourism website, Akwesasne.travel, elevated tourism training for Akwesasne artisans, and increased awareness of Akwesasne culture and heritage. Join Penny Petters, Travel Industry Development Manager, Raeann Adams, Community Planner and Gail McDonald, Akwesasne Heritage Complex Project Developer, and the Native American Traveling College in discussing how the strategic plan was conceptualized and how it continues to guide Akwesasne’s tourism planning.
Leave No Trace
AIANTA and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics will be working with tribal communities to develop an education messaging project to increase awareness of tribal lands.
Building a MainStreet Community in Indian Country
Join AIANTA in this webinar as we introduce you the nation’s first Native American MainStreet community: Zuni Pueblo MainStreet in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. Zuni Pueblo MainStreet was established in 2012 to implement new approaches and methods to encourage the revitalization of Zuni Pueblo’s local economy while continuing to preserve their unique traditional and historic events.
AITC COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
AITC COVID-19 Mitigation PlanDear Members, Partners and Friends As the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant continues to make headlines, an increasing number of potential attendees at our 23rd Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) have been asking the same...
Exploring AIANTA Visitor Outreach Program
Join AIANTA in special webinar introducing AIANTA’s Visitor Outreach program and our plans to market to domestic and international travelers for 2022. Visitor Outreach Manager Maureen Chavez (Pueblo of Acoma) will lead the conversation on top overseas markets to Indian Country, top travel trade shows to attend next year, and how to prepare for the return of international visitors.
Enriching Alaska Tourism Through First People’s Voices
While travelers to Alaska are lured by the state’s sense of adventure, few are familiar with Alaska’s sweeping narrative from a Native lens. The cruise industry, which delivers more than one million visitors a year, has only recently started offering “Meet the Locals” type programs, providing passengers a deeper, more fulfilling experience.
Columbia River Salmon Historic and Culinary Trails
Lewis and Clark were amazed by the dip net fishing by the tribes along the Columbia River. Today’s tribes (Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Nez Perce) continue this historic practice and have developed an exciting trail where visitors can see the continuation of this historic method of fishing. In addition to viewing the fishers, the public can purchase salmon directly from over-the-bank sales or enjoy it at Native owned restaurants. Learn how the tribes worked with their fishers, local communities and the state to create this culinary trail that shares the importance of salmon in their culture.
AIANTA Applauds Senate Passage of Infrastructure Bill
AIANTA Applauds Senate Passage of Infrastructure BillLegislation calls for $550 billion in upgrades to airports, roads, bridges, ports and other infrastructure widely required by a healthy visitor industry.ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (August 12, 2021) — The American...
Final Days of Summer
O me’a”kwa: Final Days of Summer(I’m going to travel over there, Northern Paiute)Ha muh (How are you?) Dear Members, Partners and Friends, I hope this newsletter finds you healthy, happy and enjoying the final days of summer. If you haven’t been paying attention, 2021...
AMERICAN INDIANS AND ROUTE 66
More than half of Historic U.S. Route 66 lies in Indian Country, roughly 1,372 miles. AIANTA, in collaboration with the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and Cherokee travel writer Lisa Hicks Snell, has published a tour guide of Route 66, bringing American Indian voices and a new perspective to this iconic highway.
To learn more, visit www.AmericanIndiansAndRoute66.com
