Are from Alaska arrive AustraliaIndigenous communities around the world are creating travel experiences that allow visitors to learn more about their history, culture and future.
Led by the communities themselves, these new tourism initiatives enable Indigenous peoples to create impactful experiences that help preserve their culture and educate visitors.
For travelers interested in a more varied and purposeful travel experience, it is important to seek out authentic opportunities led by people of that culture. Doing so will not only enrich the lives of tourists but also help the ongoing fight for self-determination and indigenous understanding.
The rise of indigenous-led travel experiences
What differentiates the latest Indigenous tourism trends is that the top businesses in charge are owned or led by members of the Indigenous community themselves. This means experiences are generally more authentic, less exploitative, and delivered directly to the community.
Interest in indigenous cultures and communities is not new. There has been tourism experience in indigenous communities for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, these experiences, most initiated by others, are often of an exploitative, appropriating, or outright destructive, rather than beneficial, nature.
Historical examples include the famous performance “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” in the late 1800s and the existence of so-called ethnographic exhibits or zoos about people, home to peoples indigenous people held and exhibited until the mid-20th century, perpetuated racist stereotypes.
Even today, companies owned by outsiders often exploit and appropriate indigenous communities and religious activities for tourism money, such as the popular Ayahuasca tours in the Philippines. South America.
Fortunately, the majority of Indigenous-led tourism experiences today specifically seek to use tourism as a means of preserving culture. Over the past 10 years, hundreds of such businesses have sprung up around the world, and several tourism organizations have been established to help them succeed.
What types of experiences are there?
Indigenous travel experiences originate in the Americas and around the world, reflecting the diversity of indigenous communities themselves.
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Sherry Rupert, CEO of Alaska Native Tourist Association of America.
There isn’t one type of activity or place that makes the travel experience “indigenous”. Instead, it is the community that creates the unique experience. The breadth of opportunities offered is representative of the diversity of experiences, places and cultures found within indigenous communities themselves.
Because of the wide range of options, there’s an Indigenous-led activity or experience for every type of traveler.
For example, adventure travelers who prefer remote experiences can travel to the North Pole with a company like Adventures on the Arctic Gulfan Inuit owned and operated company that operates polar expeditions in the rural Canda province of Nunavut.
Those who are more interested in cultural experiences can enjoy the prize Wukalina Walk, a 4-day 3-night hiking experience led by the Palawa Aboriginal community. Visitors pass through Wukalina, also known as Mt William National Park, in the Australian state of Tasmania while learning more about the land, Palawa community and culture.
For something more modern and urban, the Cahuilla Indian band Agua Caliente is opening a multi-million dollar cultural square right in the heart of the city. Palm Springs, California.
“Look, we are modern, we are traditional, we are urban, we are far away. People just don’t realize… because a lot of their pictures come from movies, right? ” Keith Henry, president and chief executive officer of Canadian Indigenous Tourism Associationabout the variety of experiences available.
Why is it important to support these businesses?
In 2021, AIANTA announced the results of a economic impact studies Tourism in Indigenous Communities in the United States That study concluded that indigenous-owned hospitality businesses are a $14 billion industry.
While job creation is important no matter what destination you look to, it is especially important in more rural communities, where employment is often extremely limited. Therefore, tourism tends to play an important role in the local economy by introducing a large number of jobs. However, this is not what many communities consider the most important factor when it comes to providing a native experience.
“Tourism also supports cultural workers, such as guides, artists, dancers and presenters, as they share their culture and traditions,” says Rupert. “It allows the tribe to support cultural training programs so that culture can be passed on from generation to generation and shared with visitors.”
Both Rupert and Henry also highlighted the educational opportunities inherent in participating in these types of travel experiences, allowing locals to share their own stories with visitors. After all, much of what we learn about Indigenous peoples around the world is inaccurate and based on racial stereotypes.
By participating in these Indigenous-led experiences, travelers gain a better understanding of these communities and their cultures, which they can then share with others to help dispel the information. this deviation.
How to find local travel experiences
Phil Lockyer, Head of Indigenous Affairs at Australia travel. “I think people … not only tourists, but also partners and distributors, don’t necessarily know how to approach them effectively.”
So how do you find authentic indigenous travel experiences?
The most important thing to consider when looking for an indigenous travel experience is that you find an indigenous travel experience that is actually run or at least led by locals. This ensures that the information you receive is accurate and that the experience itself will be helpful and not harmful to the community.
Most Indigenous-led or run businesses will specifically mention it on their website. Look for businesses that specifically identify the particular tribe or community to which the business is affiliated. Another option is to check out organizations like ITAC and AIANTA, which work with indigenous peoples to help develop and market tourism businesses in indigenous communities.
On the consumer side, these organizations also host websites that make it easy to find experiences owned or led by Indigenous entrepreneurs. Native American travel is one such site, serving as a resource for those looking for an authentic indigenous travel experience in the United States, including in Alaska and Hawaii.
ITAC has a similar website for Canadian experiences called Indigenous of the Destination and work with a range of other Indigenous tourism organizations organized by the province.
Likewise, Tourism Australia has a section on its website, called Explore the Aboriginal experienceallows visitors to explore options for connecting with Indigenous tourism businesses around the country.
There are many Indigenous-led travel experiences throughout Latin America, although these are currently most easily found by searching them individually on Google.
Keep in mind that when looking for these types of experiences, not every travel business that focuses on Indigenous cultures and people is led by Indigenous. Many companies will offer an Indigenous experience and may even hire a few members of the Indigenous community to give credit to things that are not necessarily helpful or even respectful of the group in general.
To avoid doing more harm than good, it is generally best to stay away from anything that appears to allow unrestricted access to sacred sites, such as climbing Uluru in Australia, or promises to allow people to visit sacred sites. in addition to access to religious ceremonies.
“Indigenous views are not really driven by economics,” says Henry. “I see the greatest benefit in our communities…recognizing that this is a very powerful incentive to support cultural revitalization.”
