Indigenous tourism is a growing economic opportunity within the travel industry around the globe. In the United States, it's an industry worth
US$15.7 billion annually.
And tribes are increasingly taking advantage of their best assets to
capitalize on this growing trend: their people and their land.
There are 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages in the US, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Many of these Indigenous communities own and operate unique tourist attractions, including the Olympic Discovery Trail in Washington state and the breathtaking Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona.
Exploring Indigenous-led tourism ventures in the US is to discover a wide variety of rich and historic cultures. And by doing so, visitors are helping to sustain and maintain a valuable and centuries-old way of life. So, what's behind the growth in Indigenous-led travel experiences?
Click on and browse this gallery of some of the best Native and First Nation tourist attractions in the United States.