American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Unveils New Traveler Guide

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The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) completes a traveler guide with Leave No Trace for National Travel and Tourism Week 2024.

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), the sole national organization focused on promoting cultural tourism in Native Nations and communities throughout the United States, is celebrating the completion of a multi-year educational guide project for travelers in collaboration with Leave No Trace, coinciding with the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) from May 19-25, 2024.

In 2021, AIANTA and Leave No Trace formed a partnership to spread a unified message of sustainable tourism across Indigenous communities nationwide. This collaboration builds on the combined 50 years of efforts from both organizations, promoting the importance of minimal environmental impact for travelers during NTTW and beyond. The newly released guide, “How to Responsibly Visit Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages,” serves as an educational resource for non-Indigenous visitors. The guide reflects the voices and experiences of a 25-member group of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian community members, offering educational solutions for guests visiting 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.”

Leave No Trace prioritizes education as the most effective and resource-efficient strategy for land protection, working with the public and those managing public lands. This approach aims to prevent damage through awareness rather than relying on expensive restoration programs or imposing access restrictions.

“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 celebration recognizing the U.S. travel community’s vital contributions to economic growth, vibrant communities, quality job creation, new business inspiration, and the enhancement of Americans’ quality of life.

Travel acts as a driving force for a robust U.S. economy and supports the success of various industries. According to the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses Report, created by AIANTA in collaboration with Honolulu-based SMS Research, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned hospitality businesses generate $15.7 billion in annual sales within the tourism and hospitality sector.

For over 25 years, AIANTA has been dedicated to addressing inequities in the tourism system. It serves as the national representative for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian nations involved in cultural tourism, offering technical assistance, training, and capacity-building support to Native Nations, communities, and Native-owned enterprises in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.