The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO | February 27, 2023

Join us in wishing Sherrie Bowman a Happy Birthday!

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

ASU & AIANTA Cultural Heritage Tourism Partnership: Information Session on Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and Communities Webinar

February 28, 2023 10:00 a.m. (Mountain)

In partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Sustainable Tourism housed in the School of Community Resources and Development, AIANTA is offering the online Certificate in Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and Communities.

The purpose of the online Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and Communities Certificate (STC) is to provide participants with an overview of sustainable tourism and how it can be incorporated into their community’s tourism planning and development. The certificate will provide sustainable tourism curriculum with a specific emphasis on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism efforts offered both as a professional development option and a university credit option. The Center for Sustainable Tourism and its affiliated partners, faculty and students seek to examine the role and contribution of tourism in the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of communities. The Center's research, education, and development activities focus on long-term, system-wide, sustainable strategies, and co-created solutions for community and tourism development.

Join us at Go International

AIANTA offers the annual two-day Go International training conference, designed to introduce the international market to Tribes, Tribal businesses, and Native Hawaiian businesses and support participants to identify their tourism product(s) for pricing, packaging, and selling to markets overseas.

Tribal tourism professionals, industry representatives and entrepreneurs gather to:

• Hear from expert speakers from throughout the national and international tourism industry
• Connect and network with one another around shared vision and goals for business, Indian Country and tourism development
• Advance and develop their businesses, careers and tourism ventures
• Gain an understanding of what is needed and how to participate in international markets

AITC Silent Auction Call for Donations

Join us October 2-5, 2023 at the Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala and Silent Auction to honor the best in Indian Country and raise money to help build a professional workforce. The 25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) in Durant, Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino Resort, concludes with a memorable evening gala for the 12th annual Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala and Silent Auction. 

During the gala, guests have the opportunity to bid for Native art from around the country, as well as other items and gift certificates to a variety of amazing Native destinations. The proceeds from the silent auction raise funds for AIANTA’s Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship Program.

You can help AIANTA raise funds for our scholarship program by donating your art, other items or by purchasing a table. Your support helps American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students pursue post-secondary degrees in hospitality, tourism management and other tourism-related fields. 

Thank you for your continued support of AIANTA and for allowing us the opportunity to tell our scholarship story. We humbly appreciate your consideration of our request for a donation to this event. 

We appreciate any and all donations but request items donated have a minimum value of $75. 

All Silent Auction donations must be received by September 30, 2023.

AITC Call for Speakers!

AIANTA is now accepting speaker proposals for breakout sessions during the 25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) held October 2-5, 2023 and hosted by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. More than 300 tourism professionals, including tribal professionals, Native American entrepreneurs, federal, regional and national experts gather at AITC to participate in education sessions, attend an array of events, network, connect with potential partners in the exhibit hall and patronize Native American artisans.

The submission application and guidelines can be found below or on the AIANTA website.

2023 International Inbound Travel Association Summit

CEO Rupert (second from right on the stage) at the summit presentation

Last week, CEO Rupert was in San Diego, CA presenting at and attending the 2023 International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) Summit. The International Inbound Travel Association is the national nonprofit trade association representing the United States’ international inbound travel industry. IITA members include inbound tour operators and suppliers (lodging companies, transportation, destinations, attractions, restaurants, etc.) from across the country.

CEO Rupert said, "Ran in to old friends and made some new friends! So very fortunate to have the platform to discuss why including our Indigenous experiences and destinations is vital to providing authentic stories and experiences to international visitors arriving in the U.S." #AIANTA #DiscoverNativeAmerica