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.

Authentic Storytelling Through Architecture & Design – Hawai’i Style

Authentic Storytelling Through Architecture & Design – Hawai’i Style

Storytelling is told not only through our voices, but is also solidified in the designs, art, and intentions of our buildings and gathering spaces. Award-winning Native Hawaiian Architect Rob Iopa and Native Hawaiian entrepreneur Mālia Kaʻaihue will share their successes on working with national brands while still retaining the essence of the Native Hawaiian story. Learn how Native voices can be supported through the environment created and by honoring the people of the place.

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AITC Mobile Workshops 2021

AITC Mobile Workshops At the Annual American Indian Tourism Conference, we showcase Native tourism experiences around the conference host site. This year, at the 23rd Annual AITC held in Fort McDowell, Arizona, we will provide guests with two one-of-a-kind cultural...

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AIANTA to Develop Travel Guide Along Anza Trail

AIANTA to Develop Travel Guide Along Anza Trail

AIANTA to Develop Travel Guide, Indigenous Place Names Map Chronicling Tribal Stories Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic TrailIn an agreement with the National Park Service, AIANTA is developing a travel guide and Indigenous place names map of the...

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The Comeback Trail

The Comeback Trail

“Before the pandemic, indigenous tourism in North America was an economic engine that helped tribes share and preserve cultures. Stakeholders say it’s more important than ever that tourism picks up where it left off.”

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AIANTA Announces New Partnership with Leave No Trace

AIANTA Announces New Partnership with Leave No Trace

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics have announced a new partnership that will promote a consistent, nationwide message of sustainable tourism throughout indigenous communities across the United States.

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O me’a”kwa: A Season of New Beginnings

O me’a”kwa: A Season of New Beginnings

At AIANTA, we’ve been enjoying an eventful start of the spring season As always, our programming is intended to help our Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native communities and indigenous-owned businesses succeed when it comes to growing their cultural tourism programming.

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Building a Better Tourism Website

Building a Better Tourism Website

Your website is your calling card to the world. Despite the popularity of social media, news articles, video, blog posts and all other online and traditional media, destination websites—and the search engine results that drive traffic—remain one of the top information sources for potential travelers. 

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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