Source: Native News Network
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Alaska Native villages in the rural 49th state of Alaska are in pursuit to increase tourism. Their culture is an important component in their approach to attract tourists to the Alaska Native villages.
Chickaloon Native Village Ya Ne Dah Ah School students
with teachers Tina Farley and Daniel Harrison
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Executive Director Camille Ferguson gave a keynote presentation on growing cultural tourism in Indian Country at the Chickaloon Native Village Traditional Cultural Tourism Summit, held in her home state of Alaska on April 17 – 19.
“Alaska is making waves in the tourism industry, especially Alaska Native tourism,”
said Ferguson.
“Creating educational tourism summits, like the Chickaloon Native Village and Chickaloon Native Village Council have done here, demonstrates a commitment to growth and sustenance of American Indian and Alaska Native tourism.”
The Summit, “The Power of Place – Strength, Survival and Culture,” was held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage and presented by the Tene’ Ninicezet project under the Chickaloon Native Village Traditional Council’s Environmental Stewardship Department.
Ferguson was invited to present at the event, where she explained how the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is working to grow cultural tourism across the six regions of Indian country.
Ferguson also educated attendees on how the international tourism market is bringing new opportunities for tourism growth to the United States and Indian country.
Summit sessions also addressed cultural program development, ways to offer culturally sensitive authentic experiences, how to develop cultural tourism businesses, cultural tourism training options and statewide cultural tourism opportunities.
To learn more about the Chickaloon Native Village and the Chickaloon Native Village Council visit www.chickaloon.com »