Indigenous Tourism

Indigenous and cultural heritage tourism has grown in popularity as travelers seek authentic, culturally immersive experiences that bring them closer to other people and better able to understand ways of life unlike their own. Homestays, arts and crafts exhibits, storytelling, nature tours, and cooking lessons offer meaningful opportunities for visitors to connect with Indigenous peoples and experience their living cultural traditions.

By providing a reliable source of income, tourism can offer Indigenous communities an incentive to maintain their cultural and natural heritage. Perhaps most importantly, by hosting visitors, Indigenous people can share their lands and culture on their terms.

Our team has earned a strong reputation as a trusted partner to Indigenous communities, Tribal governments, Native tourism organizations, and state and federal agencies. Our work is grounded in a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, governance, and cultural values. We recognize the historical injustices, marginalization, and mistrust that have shaped the relationship between Indigenous communities and mainstream institutions. As a result, we prioritize long-term trust-building, listening ﬁrst, and co-creating tourism strategies that are truly reﬂective of community priorities.

Our academic positioning and longstanding partnerships have allowed us to build credibility where others may face barriers, enabling us to support communities in realizing their visions for tourism as a vehicle for cultural preservation, economic opportunity, and self-determination. Whether facilitating regional alliances, guiding product development, or delivering tailored capacity-building programs, GW approaches every engagement with a commitment to Indigenous leadership, empowerment, and shared success.

Our work in Indigenous tourism focuses on three core areas:

Technical Assistance: We have supported more than 20 tribal nations with tourism planning, product development, capacity-building, and regional alliance-building.
Capacity-Building: We have launched national training programs that have trained hundreds of tribal professionals across Indian Country.
Research and Industry Publications: In partnership with industry leaders, we have developed tools and resources to promote respectful engagement between the private sector and Indigenous communities.

Key initiatives include…

South Dakota and North Dakota Native Tourism Alliances, focused on regional tourism development and management, entrepreneurial support, the creation of authentic tourism experiences, and linkages to the market.
Maine Wabanaki Cultural Tourism Plan, a community-driven roadmap advancing sustainable tourism that honors Wabanaki culture, supports economic growth, and safeguards environmental and cultural resources.
Choctaw Nation's Destination Stewardship Strategic Framework, aimed at improving tourism management, communications, and product development across their tribal nation, which spans 11,000 miles in Oklahoma.
SWT Indigenous Tourism Support Program, working with the State of Washington Tourism (SWT) and the Native organization Teqwuma to develop and promote new tourism experiences within the Nisqually homelands.
Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas (ITCA), which promotes dialogue, resource-sharing among, and collective action among Indigenous tourism associations and groups and tourism industry leaders to address the most pressing concerns facing Indigenous tourism throughout the Americas.

Cultural Tourism Planning

Explore how we assist destinations in designing cultural tourism plans that celebrate local heritage while supporting sustainable development. Our work connects communities, cultural institutions, and tourism stakeholders to create experiences that are authentic, inclusive, and economically beneficial. From asset mapping and stakeholder engagement to strategic planning and policy guidance, we tailor our approach to reflect the unique identity of each place.

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Supporting Regional Alliances

Learn how we support the development of regional tourism plans that foster collaboration, strengthen local economies, and promote sustainable growth across multiple communities. Our work helps regions define shared visions, coordinate stakeholders, and leverage collective assets to create cohesive, place-based tourism strategies. From strategic planning and governance models to research and capacity building, we tailor each project to meet local and regional priorities.

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Strengthening Hemispheric Collaboration

Discover how we lead and support the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas, a hemispheric collaboration to advance equitable Indigenous tourism across the Americas. Through partnerships with regional organizations, governments, and institutions, we support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated action on shared tourism challenges. Our work includes technical assistance, joint research, and strategic guidance to strengthen tourism systems at scale. Explore how we contribute to regional cooperation that benefits destinations, communities, and ecosystems alike.

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Professional Development

Explore our specialized courses designed to help tourism professionals and organizations engage more respectfully and effectively with Indigenous communities. Our trainings highlight the unique values, histories, and rights of Indigenous Peoples, while offering practical guidance for building meaningful partnerships in tourism. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous experts, these courses support more inclusive, informed, and responsible tourism practices. See how our educational offerings can strengthen your understanding and impact.

Explore our courses