What: AIANTA’s New Guides Help Tourism Leaders Showcase Opportunities Within Indigenous Tourism
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has released two new educational guides. “Cultural Heritage Tourism” is a planner for indigenous tourism professionals that offers tips and advice and showcases successes in indigenous tourism planning, while the “Travel Trade Manual” is designed to help indigenous tourism professionals navigate the travel trade network. The manual includes an introduction to the travel trade; two feature stories; information on itinerary building, packaging and marketing; and interviews with international travel company Destination America and the U.S. Commercial Service.
Why It Matters: Travelers Are Interested in Local Interaction and Cultural Heritage
Surveys indicate that post-pandemic travelers are interested in enriching experiences with local communities that emphasize culture and heritage. The release of these guides from AIANTA should help facilitate a better partnership between indigenous tourism professionals and travel advisors, which may lead to new opportunities that address cultural interests. Advisors can use these guides as a way to open a dialogue with local tribes and other entities in order to bring a fresh approach and new perspective to domestic trip planning.
Fast Facts
- The “Cultural Heritage Tourism” guide is divided into 10 chapters highlighting everything from historic preservation, uniqueness and authenticity, tours, revenue and fundraising, marketing and more. Each chapter includes interviews with hospitality industry professionals and highlights their challenges and successes in tourism programming, as well as a series of idea exchanges, so readers can get inspired and plan their own cultural heritage tourism businesses.
What They Are Saying: These Guides Aim to Build a Better Future for Indigenous Communities
“This planner is a celebration of the ingenuity, hard work and perseverance of the tribes, culture bearers, small business owners, artisans, indigenous thought leaders and the many other industry advisors who work collectively to build a better future for their communities through cultural heritage tourism,” said Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of AIANTA. “We hope that tourism planners become inspired by others who are forging similar paths.”
“Whether you have worked with the travel trade for years or are just beginning your journey, this guide is designed as a learning tool for all Native businesses looking to increase visitor traffic,” Rupert said. “We hope readers will be inspired by other Native businesses who have developed their own successful tour programs that respectfully highlight their culture and heritage.”
The Details
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
