New Travel Guide for Alaska Cultural Tourism
ATIA
Tapping into the market for authentic cultural tourism, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is releasing a new Alaska Native Culture Guide.
Space to Share
“It was important to us to give our Alaska Native tourism leaders the space to share what they felt travelers needed to know about visiting Alaska and experiencing its Indigenous cultures,” says ATIA President and CEO Sarah Leonard.
The guide supplements the expanded information on Alaska Native cultures and tourism opportunities that ATIA added to its TravelAlaska.com website a few months ago. Among the guide’s features are a regional map of Alaska’s 229 federally and state recognized tribes; common greetings in several Indigenous languages; a schedule of Alaska Native events; a summary of Alaska Native values, traditions, and stories; references for cultural tours, experiences, museums, and heritage sites; Indigenous culinary opportunities; ways to support Alaska Native businesses and artisans; and etiquette for travelers.
Most images in the guide are by Alaska Native photographers. The guide also incorporates graphics inspired by Alaska Native jewelry, blankets, knives, and more that were developed in partnership with an Alaska Native designer and ATIA’s Cultural Enrichment Subcommittee.
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April 2024
The guide was developed in collaboration with Alaskan Dream Cruises’ Regional Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism Mary Goddard and Alaska Native Heritage Center President and CEO Emily Edenshaw.
“Alaska always has been and always will be a Native place,” Edenshaw says. “It’s exciting to see resources like this cultural guide be developed so travelers can learn about Alaska’s First Peoples and our beautiful, living, and vibrant cultures.”
The guide is being published in print and online. ATIA is formally unveiling the project this week at its annual convention in Sitka, which is the largest annual gathering of Alaska tourism professionals in the state.
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