The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO |January 2, 2023

There's still time to apply for the ASU Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and communities Scholarship.

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

Wishes for a Prosperous New Year

The AIANTA Team would like to wish all our wonderful members, partners and their families a Happy New Year! Thank you for all your support throughout the years. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! All the best for 2023!

Travel Trade Manual: A Planner for Indigenous Tourism Professional

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.

Funding Opportunities to Conserve and Restore Tribal Forestland

January 17, 2023

10:00 A.M. Mountain Time

A conversation with the USDA Forest Service and special guests about how the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Landscape Scale Restoration, and Recreation Economy for Rural Communities can be used as tools to conserve and restore forestland and cultural resources and in turn support Tribal tourism and recreation efforts.

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program) of the Forest Service offers a unique opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, as well as, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat. The Landscape Scale Restoration Program promotes collaborative, restoration of priority forest landscapes. Join us as the USFS explains how these programs can help build tourism and recreation efforts in your area.

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! 

15 Scholarships Available for the ASU/AIANTA Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and Communities

Application Deadline: Monday, January 31, 2023

AIANTA, in collaboration with the School of Community Resources & Development, in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU), Downtown Phoenix, has designed a Professional Certificate Program in Sustainable Tourism for Native Nations and Communities Certificate. The online program brings together industry experts who help students explore the importance of sustainable tourism with a specific emphasis on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian cultural tourism efforts.

The program is comprised of seven online modules over seven weeks. One module is scheduled per week, with a final project for participants seeking ASU credit and others who would like to do the project.

Upon successful completion of the seven online modules, students will receive a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Arizona State University's School of Community Resources & Development, in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. This certificate program is offered both as a professional development option and a university credit option.

The 15 scholarships for the course are funded by NATIVE Act funds through a collaboration with the Office of Indian Economic Development.