A L A S K A N AT I V E
A Seat at the Table Native participation in cultural tourism By Richard Perry
O
ver the last fifty years, Alaska Native corporations (ANCs) have become a vital part of the state’s economy. They represent a variety of industries, including construction, environmental services, government contracting, natural resource development, technology services, and real estate. They also play a major role in tourism.
10 | June 2022
Like many economic sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the Alaska tourism industry. The last couple of seasons interrupted an emerging new direction involving cultural tourism. Sarah Leonard, president and CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), is keen on developing more opportunities for tourism in 2022. ATIA
promotes Alaska’s tourism industry as an economic opportunity, providing statewide marketing resources, education resources, and advocacy to members. Recently, the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded a $10.5 million grant to the State of Alaska that Governor Mike Dunleavy designated to ATIA.
Alaska Business www.akbizmag.com
