American Indigenous Tourism Association Takes 10th Annual “Go International” Training Virtual to Expand Global Reach for Native Nations

New digital format removes travel barriers, empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs to tap into the $11.6 billion hospitality sector from any community in the U.S.

CARSON CITY, N.V. (March 24, 2026) – the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT) – the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States and its territories, today announced that its signature Go International training workshop will transition to a 100% virtual format for its 10th anniversary on April 21-22, 2026.

The move to virtual-only is a strategic shift designed to remove travel barriers, making world-class international market training accessible to every Indigenous-owned business, from Alaska Native villages to Native Hawaiian organizations and Tribal Nations across the continental U.S. This signature event was designed to introduce Indigenous-owned businesses to international markets and equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to price, package and sell their tourism products to markets overseas.

This 10th annual event themed, “Indigenous Tourism in the Global Marketplace” was designed for participants to develop and advance their businesses, careers and tourism ventures for enhanced representation and expanded networks to the global marketplace. Indigenous tourism professionals, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs will gather virtually to:

• Learn from expert speakers throughout the national and international tourism industry
• Connect and network around shared vision and goals for business, Native Nations, communities, and tourism development
• Advance and develop their businesses, careers, and tourism ventures
• Gain practical understanding of international market participation and requirements

“As American Indigenous-owned hospitality businesses continue to drive an $11.6 billion sector of the U.S. travel economy, our goal is to ensure no community is left behind,” said Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association. “By going virtual for our 10th year, we are removing barriers to access and bringing the industry’s leading global experts directly to Indigenous entrepreneurs – equipping them to transform local experiences into world-class international destinations.”

The 2026 Go International lineup features a powerhouse of industry leaders, including, but not limited to:

• Sherry L. Rupert, CEO – American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT)
• Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and Co-Founder – Learn Tourism
• Jason Morsette, Special Projects Guide – Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation Tourism
• Catherine Prather, President – National Tour Association (NTA)
• Tara Saunders (Qalipu First Nation), Director of Business Development – Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
• Lisa Simon, CEO and Executive Director – International Inbound Travel Association (IITA)

Registration is now open. To register or learn about sponsorship opportunities for Go International 2026, visit www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/go-international.

Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.DestinationNativeAmerica.com.

About the American Indigenous Tourism Association
For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing a mission to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values across the United States and its territories. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $11.6 billion Indigenous hospitality sector. Its successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.DestinationNativeAmerica.com.

Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com

Photos for this announcement can be found here:
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