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Office of Indian Affairs and Office of Trade and Economic Development release a statewide assessment of tribal tourism.

OLYMPIA, WA - As part of Gov. Gary Locke’s mandate to create "real jobs in Indian Country", the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and the Office of Trade and Economic Development released the first ever in-depth assessment of tribal tourism in Washington State.

The assessment acted as catalyst for the tribes to apply for and be awarded a $300,000 Administration for Native Americans grant to help form a statewide tribal tourism association. 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 travel guide.

"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 Gov. 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. Events such as powwows and canoe races, and enterprises such as marinas and casinos, draw visitors from around the globe."

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 isn’t intended to be a travel guide, but more like a workbook assisting 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, he said.

"Through continued and improved cooperative efforts, the tribes and the state of Washington can build a stronger economy for future generations", said Jackson. "All participating tribes have a lot to offer to the tourism industry by sharing tribal cultures and beautiful natural sites to visit."

The 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, and ideas for future tourism opportunities. Twenty-seven tribes participated in interviews during the yearlong assessment process.

"We are encouraged by the high level of participation in the assessment, the information collected, and the interest expressed by tribes for tourism to be part of their overall economic development strategy", said Robin Pollard, director of the economic development division for the Office Of Trade and Economic Development. "In accordance with Governor Locke's 'One Washington' campaign to promote economic vitality, we look forward to working with the tribes to create one Washington in which all areas of the state - urban, rural and tribal - share the prosperity."

"Tourism provides the tribes with some much-needed economic development opportunities", said Kimberly Craven, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. "Keys to successful tourism are good planning and balancing the needs of the community with the needs of tourism."

According to the study, several themes emerged in common for most tribes. Needs and desires for tourism development vary depending on a tribe’s location, culture, size and access to financial, natural and human resources. Tribal leaders consistently mentioned infrastructure, cultural protection and marketing as areas of special concern as they relate to 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 twenty contain a tourism component.) Only six tribes have a specific tourism development group.

Five tribes have a written tourism marketing plan; seven tribes track visitor demographics.

Fewer than half of the tribes are members of their local Chamber of Commerce.

The activities and products various tribes said they would like to promote range from annual powwows and festivals to 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.