ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 24, 2023) – Albuquerque-based national nonprofit American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) hosted its annual two-day Go International Training Conference at the historic Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on April 18-19. This signature event was designed to introduce the international market to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian businesses and to help them take that critical next step of becoming export ready for sales to markets overseas.
American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian owned hospitality businesses contribute $14 billion in annual sales to the tourism and hospitality sector in the U.S., according to the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses Report. For 25 years, AIANTA has served as a united voice for the lucrative Native hospitality sector, promoting economic development in Native communities across the country.
AIANTA and CEO Sherry L. Rupert welcomed an all-star speaker lineup to Go International, comprised of the hospitality industry’s leading voices including AIANTA Board President Emerson Vallo from the Pueblo of Acoma; Skylar Clark of Brand USA, the destination marketing organization of the U.S.; Indalecio Vallejos, Director – NM, U.S. Commercial Services; Mālia Sanders, Executive Director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association/AIANTA Board Member; Stacia Morfin, CEO of Nez Perce Tourism; Edsel Pete, Program Manager of Navajo Nation TV & Film, among other valuable contributors.
“AIANTA’s annual Go International Training Conference offers a unique opportunity for tribal cultural tourism leaders to gain direct access to and insights from the hospitality industry’s leading voices,” said Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA, Chief Executive Officer. “This hands-on workshop is a cornerstone for tribal tourism development as American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian owned hospitality businesses continue to build upon the $14 billion Native hospitality sector of travel and tourism in the United States.”
Go International gives tribal tourism professionals the chance to expand their reach beyond our borders and showcase the incredible cultural diversity and heritage of Native communities to a global audience. Throughout the event, experts and industry leaders provided insights on international tourism trends, marketing strategies, and best practices for engaging with international visitors, while providing successful case studies and networking with attendees as they shared visions and goals for business, Indian Country and tourism development.
Tribes who are looking to start or expand their Tribal Tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Tribal culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
About AIANTA
Celebrating 25 years this year, AIANTA was established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system. Governed by an all-Native board of directors, AIANTA serves as a united voice for the $14 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s priorities are; 1) to provide technical assistance and training, research, and publications to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities engaged in tourism and hospitality; 2) to facilitate conversations with the Native communities, federal agencies, non-profit associations, and elected officials on the economic and cultural importance of a healthy hospitality industry; 3) to highlight the importance of visiting authentic Native destinations, including cultural, heritage, historic, and artistic sites; and 4) to generate awareness, interest and demand for these destinations with domestic and international travelers, the travel trade and the media. www.aianta.org