Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Kimberly Craven, Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, 360-753-2411
“From the pristine beaches of the Olympic Peninsula to the rolling hills of the Palouse, tourism opportunities are abundant for Native American tribes in Washington state,” said Locke. “With more than 3.25 million acres of reservation land, the state’s 28 federally-recognized tribes represent Washington’s rich and colorful heritage. Tribal gatherings, canoe races, marinas and casinos draw visitors from around the globe.”
The Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Office of Trade and Economic Development released the assessment, which served as a catalyst for the tribes to apply for and win a $300,000 grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Through a partnership with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), the grant will be used to produce an inter-tribal tourism conference in 2002, a Native tourism Web site and a travel guide.
Statewide, tourism is a $10.6 billion industry. Yet, many tribes have been unable to generate viable tourism products due to a lack of infrastructure and economic development planning. The publication is intended to assist the tribes with assessing how to increase tourism opportunities in their communities.
A recent study found that Washington’s tribes already contribute more than $1 billion to the state’s economy through tribal programs and tribal enterprises, said Walter Jackson, executive director of the Quileute tribe and chair of ATNI’s economic development and tourism subcommittee.
“Tourism can bring additional revenues to tribes, surrounding communities and the state,” Jackson said. “Through continued and improved cooperative efforts, the tribes and the state of Washington can build a stronger economy for future generations. Participating tribes have a lot to offer the tourism industry by sharing tribal cultures and beautiful natural sites.”
The yearlong assessment process included interviews with 27 tribes. The resulting 60-page publication, entitled “Tribal Tourism in Washington State,” details:
How individual tribes are currently using tourism as a source of economic development
Barriers and concerns related to tourism projects
Infrastructure and assistance needed to create additional products
Ideas for future tourism opportunities.
“We are encouraged by the high level of participation in the assessment, the information collected and the interest expressed by tribes in including tourism in their overall economic development strategy,” said Robin Pollard, director of the economic development division for the Office of Trade and Economic Development. “We look forward to working with the tribes to help create one Washington in which all areas of the state -- urban, rural and tribal -- share in prosperity.”
“Tourism provides the tribes with much-needed economic development opportunities,” said Kimberly Craven, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. “Good planning and balancing community needs with tourism needs are key to enhancing the success of our tourism industry.”
According to the study, several common themes emerged for most tribes. Needs and desires for tourism development varied depending on a tribe’s location, culture, size and access to financial, natural and human resources. Tribal leaders consistently included infrastructure, cultural protection and marketing in areas of special concern for tourism development.
Among the major findings:
Participating tribes said they would like to promote their annual gatherings and festivals as well as their destination resorts and cultural centers.
There are 28 federally recognized tribes in Washington state. Three additional tribes are awaiting federal recognition status. With more than 3.25 million acres of reservation land throughout the state, the tribal population of Washington is 104,819.
Related Links:
- Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Administration for Native Americans
- Office of Trade and Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2001
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Kimberly Craven, Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, 360-753-2411
Locke announces release of statewide tribal tourism assessment
OLYMPIA – As part of his mandate to create “real jobs in Indian Country,” Gov. Gary Locke today announced the release of the first-ever in-depth assessment of tribal tourism in Washington state.“From the pristine beaches of the Olympic Peninsula to the rolling hills of the Palouse, tourism opportunities are abundant for Native American tribes in Washington state,” said Locke. “With more than 3.25 million acres of reservation land, the state’s 28 federally-recognized tribes represent Washington’s rich and colorful heritage. Tribal gatherings, canoe races, marinas and casinos draw visitors from around the globe.”
The Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Office of Trade and Economic Development released the assessment, which served as a catalyst for the tribes to apply for and win a $300,000 grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Through a partnership with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), the grant will be used to produce an inter-tribal tourism conference in 2002, a Native tourism Web site and a travel guide.
Statewide, tourism is a $10.6 billion industry. Yet, many tribes have been unable to generate viable tourism products due to a lack of infrastructure and economic development planning. The publication is intended to assist the tribes with assessing how to increase tourism opportunities in their communities.
A recent study found that Washington’s tribes already contribute more than $1 billion to the state’s economy through tribal programs and tribal enterprises, said Walter Jackson, executive director of the Quileute tribe and chair of ATNI’s economic development and tourism subcommittee.
“Tourism can bring additional revenues to tribes, surrounding communities and the state,” Jackson said. “Through continued and improved cooperative efforts, the tribes and the state of Washington can build a stronger economy for future generations. Participating tribes have a lot to offer the tourism industry by sharing tribal cultures and beautiful natural sites.”
The yearlong assessment process included interviews with 27 tribes. The resulting 60-page publication, entitled “Tribal Tourism in Washington State,” details:
“We are encouraged by the high level of participation in the assessment, the information collected and the interest expressed by tribes in including tourism in their overall economic development strategy,” said Robin Pollard, director of the economic development division for the Office of Trade and Economic Development. “We look forward to working with the tribes to help create one Washington in which all areas of the state -- urban, rural and tribal -- share in prosperity.”
“Tourism provides the tribes with much-needed economic development opportunities,” said Kimberly Craven, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. “Good planning and balancing community needs with tourism needs are key to enhancing the success of our tourism industry.”
According to the study, several common themes emerged for most tribes. Needs and desires for tourism development varied depending on a tribe’s location, culture, size and access to financial, natural and human resources. Tribal leaders consistently included infrastructure, cultural protection and marketing in areas of special concern for tourism development.
Among the major findings:
- Eighteen tribes are actively involved in the tourism industry
- Twenty tribes have completed a comprehensive economic development plan (Seventeen of the 20 contain a tourism component)
- Only six tribes have a specific tourism development group
- Five tribes have a written tourism marketing plan and seven tribes track visitor demographics
- Fewer than half of the tribes are members of their local chambers of commerce.
Participating tribes said they would like to promote their annual gatherings and festivals as well as their destination resorts and cultural centers.
There are 28 federally recognized tribes in Washington state. Three additional tribes are awaiting federal recognition status. With more than 3.25 million acres of reservation land throughout the state, the tribal population of Washington is 104,819.
Related Links:
- Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- Administration for Native Americans
- Office of Trade and Economic Development
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