The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO | April 24, 2023

CEO Rupert pictured with moccasins from the

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

Go International Was A Success!

CEO Rupert pictured with (from left to right): Indy Vallejos, U.S. Commercial Services, Skylar Clark, Brand USA and President Emerson Vallo, AIANTA

I am very proud of our AIANTA Team members that made Go International such a huge success! The conference brought together various stakeholders in the tourism industry including some from as far away as Hawaii and New York. This year, Go International offered an immense wealth of knowledge in each presented session. Many of the presentations addressed challenges/opportunities an entity may encounter as they move to working with the international market. For instance, there were discussions on how to improve the experience of international visitors by focusing on the experience and less on communication through the English language. There was also active discussion on ensuring that visitors respect tribal customs and traditions. Additionally, the training facilitated networking among participants, which could lead to future collaborations. If you joined us this year, we hope that you were able to take away many benefits, and please tag us @aianta_official in any photos you post and use the hashtag #GoInternational23!

National Travel and Tourism Week Begins

May 7, 2023

National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual celebration highlighting the importance of tourism to our economy and communities. This year we also want to celebrate Indigenous Tourism! There are many ways to celebrate the Native culture during National Travel and Tourism Week. You can visit tribal museums or cultural centers, attend powwows or other cultural events, or take a guided tour of tribal lands. NativeAmerica.travel is perfect for finding all these destinations and events in one place! Help us in driving awareness and celebrating Indigenous Tourism during National Travel and Tourism Week!

A Visitor Etiquette Tool Coming Soon To AIANTA.org!

"Engaging Responsible Vistors Through Your Story" is a tool that promotes responsible outdoor recreation when visiting Native lands. This tool was created through a collaborative effort by an all-Native advisory group facilitated through a partnership with AIANTA and Leave No Trace. It is important for visitors to follow outlined principles to show respect for the land and its people. By following these principles, visitors can enjoy the beauty of Native lands while showing respect for their culture and environment. A downloadable PDF version of the resource will soon be available at AIANTA.org!

Hawaii Tourism Authority Released the

Maʻemaʻe Toolkit

There is great importance in understanding your responsibility as a tourist when you visit new destinations because each place holds meaning. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) released the Maʻemaʻe Toolkit, a resource designed to enhance the destination’s sustainable tourism efforts. The Maʻemaʻe Toolkit demonstrates a growing awareness about the potential negative impacts of tourism in Hawaii and how it should be Native Hawaiians who propose the remedy. While the tourism industry has been a critical contributor to the state’s economy for decades, overreliance on tourism has led to issues such as overcrowding of popular destinations, increased traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. The HTA recognized the need to take a sustainable approach to tourism and released the toolkit to promote responsible tourism practices. The Maʻemaʻe Toolkit is a wonderful example of what other American Indian and Alaska Native communities can produce to ensure the protection of the land and people.

Become a Sponsor for AITC

Now entering its 25th year, the Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s indigenous communities.



Every year the conference attracts more than 300 attendees who attend for the networking opportunities, the high-level keynote sessions and the informative breakout sessions led by some of the leading hospitality industry experts. It’s an event that I look forward to each year and an opportunity for our sponsors to shine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of AITC you can find the sponsor prospectus below.