AIANTA CEO Appointed to U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (February 24, 2022) – Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association for the 2022-2024 term. Established in 1941, U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry.

“I’m thrilled to join the board of directors for the esteemed U.S. Travel Association,” said Rupert. “So much of our nation’s tourism story begins with our Indigenous people and their vibrant cultures, languages and stories. I look forward to working with U.S. Travel to help elevate these voices as a part of our national tourism story.”

As CEO of the only national association dedicated to Indigenous tourism, Rupert is the leading voice advocating for travel and tourism as an economic driver in tribal nations. Among her responsibilities, Sherry curates a robust educational program for tribes and Indigenous-owned hospitality enterprises around the country. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, she served as President of AIANTA’s Board of Directors, when she was instrumental in working with Congress to pass the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.

“We warmly welcome Sherry Rupert and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association to the U.S. Travel board,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Sherry’s extensive leadership as an advocate and tourism professional for Native American communities will be critically important to building a full and even recovery of our nation’s travel and tourism industry.”

U.S. Travel’s Board of Directors is the governing body of the U.S. Travel Association. The Board guides the organization’s direction, approves its budget, addresses industry-wide issues and serves as a liaison and voice for all members.

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About AIANTA
For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.

About the U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association, based in Washington, D.C., is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. In 2020, travel generated $1.5 trillion in economic output and supported 11 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States by promoting priorities and programs that facilitate travel’s growth. The association also produces research in the form of travel data, analysis and insights to keep the industry and lawmakers well informed.

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Monica Poling
Marketing & PR Manager
AIANTA