American Indian Alaska Native Tourism
Association and collaborative partner Leave No Trace debut
educational guide for travelers to responsibly visit Native Nations
and communities in the U.S.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.,
May 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Indian Alaska
Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), the only national organization
dedicated to advancing cultural tourism in Native Nations and
communities across the United
States, celebrates the completion of a multi-year
educational guide project for travelers with partner Leave No Trace
as the U.S. Travel Association kicks off National Travel and
Tourism Week (NTTW) May 19-25,
2024.
In 2021, Leave No Trace and AIANTA announced a partnership
to promote a consistent, nationwide message of sustainable tourism
throughout Indigenous communities across the United States. In partnership with AIANTA,
the combined 50 year-efforts of both organizations encourage
travelers to leave minimal impacts when visiting the great outdoors
during NTTW and always. The new guide, "How to Responsibly Visit
Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages" is an educational entry
point for non-Indigenous guests. The voice and lived experiences
described in this resource come from a 25-member group of American
Indian, Alaska Native and Native
Hawaiian community members approaching education solutions for
guests spending time in Indigenous communities across the U.S.
"As we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, AIANTA is
excited to share this educational resource guide with travelers who
are preparing to visit Indigenous communities," said Sherry L. Rupert, CEO, American Indian Alaska
Native Tourism Association. "AIANTA's educational efforts directly
align with the mission of Leave No Trace, as together we encourage
travelers to leave minimal impacts when visiting the great
outdoors."
By working with the public and those managing public lands,
Leave No Trace focuses on educating people—instead of costly
restoration programs or access restrictions—as the most effective
and least resource-intensive solution to land protection.
"It's important to realize that we Leave No Trace differently
depending on the specific land managers or ecosystems," said
Dana Watts, Executive Director,
Leave No Trace. "These resources developed with AIANTA give guests
the necessary information on how to interact with indigenous
communities in a meaningful way. Learning the story of an
indigenous community and the differences between native nations and
public lands is a critical step in building our outdoor ethic."
Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is
an annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and
travel's essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating
vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring
new businesses, and elevating the quality of life for Americans
every day.
Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and
helps power the success of other industries. 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.
For more than 25 years, AIANTA has worked to address inequities
in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for
American Indian, Alaska Native and
Native Hawaiian nations engaged in cultural tourism, while
providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to
Native Nations and communities and Native-owned enterprises engaged
in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.
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.
About Leave No Trace:
Leave No Trace is a national
organization that protects the outdoors by teaching people to enjoy
it responsibly. Learn more about Leave No Trace principles and
practices for sustainable recreation on our website at www.lnt.org
or contact us at info@lnt.org.
Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian
(904) 237-1285 or Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com
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SOURCE American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association