Technical Assistance Needed

SMS Research Shares Findings for Technical Assistance Needed in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Tourism Organizations

SMS Research has recently completed a study on behalf of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) to identify the areas where technical assistance (TA) is needed to empower Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to participate fully in the tourism industry. The study aimed to provide recommendations on coordination and delivery of TA for cultural tourism development.

The findings of the study, which will be shared by SMS Research in a presentation, identified nine critical TA needs among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism organizations. The first four areas focus on providing foundational business training, while the remaining five areas aim to develop organizational capacity in tourism marketing and cultural tourism development.

This study is a significant step towards addressing the technical assistance needs of Native Hawaiian, Tribal Organizations, and Indian Tribes. It provides an essential roadmap for supporting the development of cultural tourism in these communities, which can lead to economic growth and increased recognition of Native cultures. The study underscores the importance of collaboration and coordination between tourism organizations and the need for targeted and customized technical assistance programs to ensure sustainable tourism development.

AIANTA Town Hall