American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Hosts 9th Annual “Go International” Training Workshop in Albuquerque
Indigenous Tourism in the Global Marketplace
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 30, 2025) – Albuquerque-based national nonprofit American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) hosted its annual two-day Go International training workshop at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on April 29-30. This signature event was designed to introduce the international tourism industry to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian businesses and to help them take that critical next step of becoming export ready to generate sales to markets overseas.
American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-owned hospitality businesses contribute $15.7 billion in annual sales to the tourism and hospitality sector in the United States. For more than 26 years, AIANTA has worked to address inequities in the tourism system as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural tourism in Native Nations and communities across the U.S. This ninth annual event themed, “Indigenous Tourism in the Global Marketplace” was designed for participants to develop and advance their businesses, careers and tourism ventures for enhanced representation and expanded networks to the global marketplace.
AIANTA and CEO Sherry L. Rupert welcomed an all-star speaker lineup to Go International, comprised of the hospitality industry’s leading voices including Tara Saunders, Business Development Director – Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada; Misty Tarbell, Tourism Activities Officer – Akwesasne Travel; Lorelei Clinton, Operational Manager – Black Streak Canyon Tours; Christoper Delgado, Manager of Indigenous Training and Outreach – Alaska Native Heritage Center; Deannethea Long, Director of Operations – Moenkopi Developers Corporation; Lara Brockway, Social Media Manager – Visit Albuquerque; Brenna Moore, Director of Communications and Public Relations – Visit Albuquerque; Julie Heizer, Ambassador of the International Inbound Travel Association; Florian Herrmann, CEO – Herrmann Global, among other valuable contributors.
“Now in its ninth year, AIANTA’s annual Go International training workshop offers a unique opportunity for Indigenous tourism leaders to gain direct access to and insights from the hospitality industry’s leading voices,” said AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert. “This hands-on workshop is a cornerstone for Indigenous tourism development as American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian owned hospitality businesses continue to build upon the $15.7 billion Indigenous hospitality sector of travel and tourism in the United States.”
Go International gives Indigenous tourism professionals the chance to expand their reach beyond our borders and showcase the incredible cultural diversity and heritage of Native Nations and 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, Native Nations and communities, and tourism development. This year’s sponsors included Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Convention & Tourism Department, Isleta Resort & Casino and New Mexico Tourism.
Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Native culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
About AIANTA:
For more than 26 years, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Native board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $15.7 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow, and sustain Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values. Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com
Photo:
Photo credit: AIANTA
Caption: 2025 Go International Speakers, pictured left to right: Misty Tarbell, Akwesasne Travel; Tara Saunders, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada; Ciarra Greene, AIANTA; Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA; Julie Heizer, International Inbound Travel Association; Florian, Hermann, Hermann Global ; and Christopher Delgado, Alaska Native Heritage Center.