American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Announces New Partnership to Amplify Indigenous Destinations

Alaska is home to the largest number of tribes, Alaska Native corporations and Indigenous population in the nation – Photo credit: Alaska Travel Industry Association

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has inked a partnership with the National Tour Association that’s aimed at building broader awareness of Native Nation destinations across the United States.

In a statement issued today, AIANTA said the two organizations have “entered a reciprocal cooperation agreement.”

In addition to ramping up awareness of Native Nation destinations across the country, the new partnership will focus on increasing familiarity with Native Nation travel products among NTA’s community of travel professionals.

The AIANTA and NTA partnership is also meant to educate NTA travel professionals on how to do business with Indigenous-owned businesses and sell Indigenous tourism experiences.

“We’re at a pivotal time for Indigenous Tourism across our Native Nations and communities in the U.S.,” AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert, said in a statement.

“With a heightened awareness of responsible travel, diverse travel experiences and cultural heritage tourism on the rise, this strategic partnership with the National Tour Association will help grow tourism to our Native Nations and communities while also providing education on how to do business with Indigenous operators,” Rupert added.

For its part, NTA said in a statement that it seeks to lead the responsible growth of travel to, from, and within North America by connecting diverse professionals and enhancing the travel experience.

“AIANTA’s mission statement and core values speak to NTA’s commitment to integrity, sustainability, inclusivity, collaboration and teamwork, learning and innovation,” Catherine Prather, CTP, President of the National Tour Association, said in a statement.

“By working together in this new partnership, we can increase awareness of Native Nations and destinations among NTA’s community of travel professionals,” Prather added.

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.

AINTA is the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.