The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO |January 9, 2023

Hear from experts in the tourism industry about national and international tourism. Donovan Hanley presented at the last year's Go International.

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

AITC Call for Speakers 2023

AIANTA is accepting presenter proposals for breakout sessions to take place during the 25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) to be held October 2-5, 2023, at Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant, hosted by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

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.

Should you be interested in presenting at this year’s 25^th Anniversary, please complete the 2023 AITC Call for Speakers application.

Travel Trade Manual: A Planner for Indigenous Tourism Professionals

January 10, 2023

10:00 A.M. Mountain Time

Join us as the AIANTA Visitor Outreach Manager, Ciarra Greene, and AIANTA CEO, Sherry Rupert, introduce the Travel Trade Manual Tourism Planner and upcoming opportunities to advance your visitor outreach to the international market.

For hospitality businesses looking to welcome group travelers and overseas visitors, the best path to success is introducing a new business paradigm that involves working with an intricate network of external businesses, collectively known as the travel trade. The Travel Trade Manual Tourism Planner was designed to help Indigenous tourism professionals understand and navigate group travel and working with all levels of travel trade suppliers. These businesses, the retail travel agents, receptive operators, international wholesalers and other distribution partners, that make up the travel trade can help Native-owned organizations build a consistent flow of domestic and international visitors. The partnerships you develop on this path will allow you to better showcase your destinations to the world. This guide is designed as a learning tool to help you build your travel trade marketing plan and be inspired by Native businesses who have developed their own successful tour programs that respectfully highlight their culture and heritage. It was also designed to demonstrate that building successful tour programs can be managed in a way that works for you and allows you to continue to manage your own stories and experiences.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Go International

Go International | April 18-19, 2023

Advancing American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Cultural Tourism in the International Travel and Trade Markets

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.



Why Sponsor Go International?

As a sponsor of the 7th Annual Go International, you will have the opportunity to promote your organization throughout the event. Your organization will also be featured on the AIANTA.org website and all AIANTA social media platforms leading up to and throughout the event. You will also be allowed to provide brochures for placement in our attendee conference bags, along with signage throughout the conference venue. Please visit the Go International Sponsor page for more information.

Join AIANTA and Support the Movement to Build Cultural Tourism in Indian Country

Bird Singer Thumb Drive

Artists: designed by NSRGNTS, led by Native couple Votan Ik (Mayan/Nahua) and Leah “Povi” Lewis (Pueblo/Dine’)

Through AIANTA membership, tribes, members of the tourism industry, federal, state and local governments, colleges and universities and others form a resource network that shares experiences and supports one another.

Already a member and need to renew? You still have time!

Please do so by January 31, 2023 to receive our latest Bird Singer Thumb Drive created by NSRGNTS! 

AIANTA Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship

Application Deadline: April 28, 2023

AIANTA is proud to offer the Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship, which provides American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students with financial assistance towards a degree or certificate in hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields.

Each year, AIANTA awards five individuals who have met all scholarship application criteria.

Award Amount: Students are awarded $1,000 per semester (fall and spring semester only). Each student can earn a maximum award of $2,000 per academic school year.

The deadline to apply is April 28, 2023 (Academic School Year 2023- 2024).

For more information, please click on the apply now button below.