Native American tourism markets brace for boom (Rapid City Journal)

Native 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 about 26.2 million people boarding ships and airplanes bound for the United States.

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 Native culture. More than 85,000 Germans visited a Native American community in 2006, according to an Office of Travel & Tourism Industries survey.   read more

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Wisconsin tribes join to promote tourism (Indian Country Today)

DULUTH, Minn. (MCT) – The 11 American Indian communities of Wisconsin don’t mind visitors. They’ve even put together a magazine aimed at luring tourists to their parts of the state.

”Native Wisconsin,” published twice a year for the past three years, is a rare publication, said Kirby Metoxin, special events coordinator for the Oneida Nation of Green Bay, Wis.

”I believe we are the only state where all the tribes are working collectively to put an issue like that together,” he said.

The magazine dedicates about three pages to each of the 11 communities from six tribes. Information on natural resources, culture, events and lodging is included. A layout is given to each, and they fill the pages according to the theme.

Because each tribe is involved with production, historical facts and tribal customs and places are portrayed correctly, said Gloria Cobb, deputy director for economic development for the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, which produces the magazine with the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin Advisory Committee.   read more

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