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O me'a"kwa
(I’m going to travel over there, Northern Paiute)
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I hope this newsletter finds you all healthy, happy and planning for the future.
The tourism industry has been hard hit by recent events. Recently, I appeared on a
Native America Calling
radio program alongside Native American service workers and restaurateurs who discussed the multiple challenges facing them as the nation starts to re-open to commerce.
Even though the openings are good news, they leave workers and employers with plenty of uncertainty as some states start rolling back those re-opening plans. Additionally, conflicting and frequently changing CDC guidelines leave small business owners scrambling to stay current with all the new regulations.
Indigenous communities in the hospitality industry have taken a particularly hard hit. According to Meister Economic Consulting, a research firm that has been reporting tribal gaming data for more than 20 years, the closing of tribal casinos across the country has resulted
in nearly 300,000 lost jobs
. That translates to a total economic hit of about $4.4 billion in lost revenue.
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Six Agritourism Ideas for Native Farmers & Ranchers
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At AIANTA we are focused on helping tribes showcase their heritage to visitors in a manner that helps drive economic prosperity while also protecting cultural integrity. Included in that cultural heritage are traditional growing and agricultural practices, an area that is becoming increasingly popular with travelers.
There are plenty of economic benefits for farmers and ranchers interested in supplementing their farm or ranch income with an agritourism program.
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Three Strategies to Jumpstart Your Travel Marketing
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The world has changed, and as travel begins to re-emerge, marketing cultural tourism destinations or attractions to visitors is the next step in recovery.
During the recent webinar, “
Marketing Partnerships: Strategic Marketing to Re-emerging Travel,” hosted by AIANTA) three presenters provided tactics on how to jumpstart tribal tourism marketing programs.
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Practical Tips for Navigating Tourism Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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The tourism industry has been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This virus has threatened lives, livelihoods, and ways of living. It also brought tourism and its contributions to a grinding halt as casinos, restaurants, iconic attractions and cruises shut down.
As tribes plan to reopen, it is important that they consider the shifting trends in consumer sentiment about travel and travelers new perceptions of health and safety.
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A number of AIANTA members and partners have recently told us that they have received an “offer” to purchase a complete attendee list from the American Indian Tourism Conference.
As any member of an association or conference attendee can tell you, these notices are becoming increasingly more prevalent. Today’s technology allows for software programs to easily harvest all emails from a website. Scammers then email these contacts and try to trick them into purchasing lists that don’t exist.
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AIANTA is Seeking Agritourism Consultants
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AIANTA is growing its tribal agritourism support programming and is
seeking two consultants--an editor and a graphic designer--who will work with us to develop an 80+ page Tribal Agritourism Training Manual.
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AIANTA is Seeking New Members for our Board of Directors
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AIANTA welcomes applications from those interested in serving as a member of the AIANTA Board of Directors. Share your experience and influence decisions that involve the future of tourism in Indian Country. Learn, how you can make a difference in our industry and region.
Deadline to apply is August 7, 2020.
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American Indian Tourism Conference
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American Indian Tourism Conference
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AIANTA is excited to host our first-ever virtual tourism conference. Designed around a theme, "
One Country, Many Nations
," this year’s virtual AITC will unfold September 14-18, 2020.
Only registered attendees will have access to the virtual plenary sessions, workshops and tradeshow.
We'd also like to thank the talented Native artisans who have given us permission to use their custom-designed masks in our AITC branding.
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The Best of Indian Country Tourism
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As the only organization dedicated to advancing tribal tourism across the United States, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) recognizes the best of Indian Country travel and tourism at its Industry Awards ceremony, held every year during the American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC).
Deadline to nominate is August 14, 2020.
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AIANTA's Webinar series presents marketing tips, funding opportunities and other tips for creating and growing successful tribal tourism enterprises.
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Bureau of Indian Affairs NATIVE Act Implementation
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
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Marketing Partnerships: Marketing to Re-emerging Travel
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Dept of Agriculture and Forest Service Ways in Which The USFS and the USDA Support Cultural Heritage Tourism
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Exploring Economic Development Administration (EDA) Funding Opportunities
June 2, 2020
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Earn Your Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism
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Hone your cultural tourism skills by completing the Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism, produced by AIANTA in partnership with the George Washington University. Designed for tourism entrepreneurs and community leaders, this six-week course highlights key steps in creating and promoting tourism programs that preserve cultural identity and authenticity.
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The present-day home of Shawnee tribal headquarters features wide-open expanses and stunning scenery. Native grasses sway in the breeze as bison herds roam, striking figures with thick brown fur contrasting against the deep blue Oklahoma sky. This land is also home to white-tailed deer, bobcats and other wildlife, offering exceptional opportunities for photographers.
There are three federally recognized Shawnee tribes: the Eastern Shawnee on the Oklahoma-Missouri border near Wyandotte, Oklahoma; the Absentee Shawnee near Shawnee, Oklahoma; and the Shawnee Tribe in Miami, Oklahoma.
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Service workers risk health and livelihood
Waiters, hair dressers, clerks and others who work face-to-face with customers face a lot of uncertainty. Their jobs have been on the line or eliminated since coronavirus restrictions began in March. //
Native America Calling
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. //
Travel Weekly
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AIANTA Members in the News
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Ute tribes reimagine Bear Dances, a key ceremony of renewal, as coronavirus locks down Colorado reservations //
The Colorado Sun
What happens when America's borders reopen again? Our travel expert gets the lowdown //
The Irish Examiner
Has your Tribe or tribal tourism enterprise been featured in the news?
Please let us know.
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Shoalwater Bay Tribe
The Shoalwater Bay Tribe is made up of Lower Chehalis, Shoalwater Bay and Chinookan people. The original territory of the Shoalwater Bay peoples included a vast network of waterways along the Chehalis and Columbia Rivers. Today, the reservation is located on the southwest coast of the Pacific Ocean in Washington State. Stay in the cozy coastal rooms at Tradewinds on the Bay Motel with views of the Bay.
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AIANTA members are well-informed and play a key role in supporting sustainable and authentic tribal tourism that benefits not only member tribes, but all tribes. With your help, we’ll continue to make sure that the right national decision makers hear your voice—and all our voices—so our people can thrive and grow.
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Mark your calendars for these upcoming events
American Indian Tourism Conference
Sept. 14-18, 2020
Location: virtual
Cultural Heritage Certificate Program
Dates: October 5-November 22, 2020
Location: Online
Go International
Dates: April 21-22, 2021
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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