"American Indian tourism markets are expected to blossom as international visitors return to the United States after the greatest travel decline in U.S. history.
International travelers - including those from Canada and Mexico - set a record in 2007, with 53.6 million visitors. Overseas travelers are expected to set an all-time record in 2010, with an estimated 26.2 million people boarding ships and airplanes bound for the United States.
The Germans have created their own tourism industry, something they call "Indianerreisen," or Indian tours, which is an expanding niche market that specializes in the exploration of Indian culture. More than 85,000 Germans visited an American Indian community in 2006, according to an Office of Travel and Tourism Industries survey.
"Now is the time to get back into the market and remind the international traveler of the unique opportunity that they can participate in and visit Native American sites while they're in the country," said Ron Erdmann, travel and tourism industries deputy director of research in the U.S. Commerce Department.
"You cannot get this anywhere else in the world. It's time for Native Americans to focus in on that story and get it out there."
American Indians have taken a giant step forward in developing a national and international tourism strategy. The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, or AIANTA, hired its first director in September to oversee tribal tourism operations."
Get the Story:Tribes renew interest in tourism (The Missoulian 11/29) Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: UM opens Indian research institute (11/6)
Jodi Rave: Conference explores Indian resiliency (11/5)
Jodi Rave: Let the experts tell the Native story (11/1)
Jodi Rave: Cobell trial ends after 10 days (10/29)
Jodi Rave: Film explores Blackfoot ties to land (10/26)
Jodi Rave: Conference addresses violence (10/25)
Jodi Rave: Sami in Norway embrace their heritage (10/22)
Jodi Rave: Climate change hits Natives across globe (10/15)
Jodi Rave: Foundation raises money at Blackfeet (10/2)
Jodi Rave: Gaming defines perception of Indians (10/1)
Jodi Rave: Protecting indigenous rights (9/24)
Jodi Rave: UN votes for indigenous rights (9/14)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous rights declaration up for vote (9/13)
Jodi Rave: Women singers shine at powwow (9/10)
Jodi Rave: Hoop spreads healing across country (9/4)
Jodi Rave: Saving Private Ryan LeCompte, Lakota (8/27)
Jodi Rave: Indian Health Service inadequate (8/20)
Jodi Rave: Harvest Moon Ball promotes Native art (8/17)
Jodi Rave: Pueblo woman takes over Indian law center (8/15)
Jodi Rave: Project integrates science and culture (8/14)
Jodi Rave: Families reconnect during powwow season (8/13)
Jodi Rave: Native American Bank makes difference (8/9)
Jodi Rave: WOMAN challenge proves enlightening (8/6)
Jodi Rave: Youth show talent at Native Elite Sports camp (8/1)
Jodi Rave: Powwows pay tribute to veterans (7/30)
Jodi Rave: Sacred Hoop Journey inspires hope (7/26)
Jodi Rave: Native center at UM raises enough money (7/19)
Jodi Rave wins awards for columns and reporting (7/9)
Jodi Rave: Montana tribes at bottom of gaming scale (7/2)
Jodi Rave: Native women continue the challenge (06/18)
Jodi Rave: Graduates eager to make a difference (6/11)
Jodi Rave: Nez Perce homeland remains sacred (6/4)
Jodi Rave: Covering tribal disenrollments (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Paying respects to the departed (5/28)
Jodi Rave: Women of color need to work together (5/24)
Jodi Rave: Disenrollment and the national media (5/21)
Jodi Rave: Native women take up walking challenge (5/16)
Jodi Rave: Navajo family takes the WOMAN Challenge (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Basketball standout graduates from UM (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Native language programs struggle (5/8)
Jodi Rave: NARF delivers message with hip-hop (5/7)
Jodi Rave: Leadership in a multicultural age (4/30)
Jodi Rave: More Natives needed in journalism (4/20)
Jodi Rave: Probate reform changes 'devastating' (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Native language preservation efforts (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls for accountability (4/12)
Jodi Rave: Doctrine of Discovery and Indians (4/11)
Jodi Rave: Tribal colleges press for federal funds (4/6)
Jodi Rave: George Longfish never short on imagery (4/4)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls trust offer 'insulting' (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Lawmaker a symbol of Old West ignorance (3/26)
Jodi Rave: Res2007 highlights tribal economies (3/19)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave wins national fellowship award (03/06)
Jodi Rave: Natives find 'Voices' at Autry Museum (3/2)
Jodi Rave: Environmental racism expert in Montana (3/1)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honors heritage (2/28)
Jodi Rave: Nellie Two Bulls leaves strong legacy (2/22)
Jodi Rave: Count me among America's lawn freaks (2/20)
Jodi Rave: Tribes receive heating assistance (2/19)
Jodi Rave: Tex Hall leaves tribe with $100M-plus debt (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Meet your next Native American Idols (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Without funds, NAIHC fires half of staff (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Montana panel cuts Indian education budget (2/7)
Jodi Rave: Sharing the dance and harvest in Alaska (2/5)
Jodi Rave: Montana family preserves beading (1/30)
Jodi Rave: Navajo Nation to market scenic routes (1/22)
Jodi Rave: Native youth get turned onto reading (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Think tank aims to help Native students (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Winona LaDuke speaks in Montana (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Myers drops bid for 9th Circuit seat (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Interior mum on class action tribal suit (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Rep. Rehberg backs Indian committee (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Cobell sees hope for case in new year (1/2)
