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- By Native News Online Staff
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)—the only national organization solely focused on advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States—has announced a strategic two-year partnership with Destinations International, the world’s largest global network of destination organizations, including convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards.
This collaboration, formalized during the Destinations International 2025 Annual Convention last week in Chicago, Illinois, aims to jointly promote and develop programs, products, and services that create meaningful value for both organizations and their stakeholders.
Tourism plays a vital role in driving the U.S. economy and supporting a wide range of industries. Indigenous-owned hospitality businesses—including those owned by American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs—generate $11.6 billion in annual sales, according to The Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses Report, a study commissioned by AIANTA in partnership with Honolulu-based SMS Research.
“AIANTA’s partnership with Destinations International marks a pivotal moment for Indigenous tourism," said Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of AIANTA. "This collaboration will undoubtedly elevate Indigenous perspectives within the global tourism industry. Through this collaboration, we look forward to sharing knowledge, building stronger relationships, and creating tools that support respectful engagement with Indigenous communities across the United States."
Destinations International represents more than 9,000 professionals from over 750 destinations in 23 countries, collectively wielding more than $3.5 billion in annual buying power. As a leader in global destination marketing, the organization continues to champion travel as a powerful force for economic and cultural enrichment.
“We are proud to partner with AIANTA to help ensure that travel and tourism serves visitors and honors the values and interests of Indigenous communities,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “Our partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) in recent years has been and continues to be meaningful, and we are excited to deepen our efforts around Indigenous tourism in North America through this important and impactful partnership with AIANTA.”
For more than 26 years, AIANTA has worked to address inequities in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian nations engaged in cultural tourism, while providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to Native Nations and communities and Native-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.
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