2026 Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards

American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned tourism firms contribute $11.6 billion to the U.S. Economy annually. To recognize enterprises and individuals excelling in our industry, the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT) honors Native Nations and communities' travel and cultural tourism in nine categories. Our categories include — Best Cultural Heritage Experience, Best Indigenous Culinary Tourism Experience, Best Indigenous Musical Experience, Indigenous Destination of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Indigenous Artisan of the Year, Indigenous Futures Award, Industry Partner of the Year and Industry Professional of the Year.

Awardees are formally recognized at the annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference hosted by AIT. The Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards Gala will be Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at the Tulalip Resort & Casino in Tulalip, Washington.

Seize the opportunity to contribute to the Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards, the pinnacle of Native Nations and communities' travel and tourism standards, by submitting your nomination in the categories below.

The winners of these awards are the champions of hospitality who go above and beyond, creating unforgettable moments for travelers and fostering lasting connections. Whether you are acquainted with a large operation destination such as casino resorts or a cultural/interpretive center, museum or historical village, who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to delivering impeccable customer service, we invite you to share your insights with us. Your nomination is not just a submission; it's a testament to your commitment to recognizing and honoring the best in the field.

Reasons to Submit a Nomination:

Spotlight on Excellence:

The Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards provides a platform to shine a spotlight on individuals and destinations that have excelled in their dedication to Indigenous tourism. It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate excellence within the industry.

Acknowledgment of Dedication:

Submitting a nomination is a chance to acknowledge and honor the hard work and dedication of those who have contributed significantly to the advancement of Indigenous travel and tourism.

Foster Lasting Connections:

The winners of these awards are not just industry leaders; they are champions of hospitality who create unforgettable moments for travelers and foster lasting connections. Recognizing their efforts contributes to building a stronger and more vibrant Indigenous tourism community.

Commitment to Recognition:

Your nomination is more than just a submission; it is a testament to your commitment to recognizing and honoring the best in the field. It reinforces the importance of acknowledging excellence and supporting those who make a positive impact on Indigenous tourism.

There are no limitations on nominations for a person/organization or category; a separate application is required for each nomination.

All eligible nominations must meet the following criteria:

Nomination Eligibility:
- Anyone in the tourism/hospitality industry may submit a nomination.
- The nominee must be an AIT member in good standing.
- If the nominee is a non-member, the nominating person/organization may sponsor their membership.
Commitment to Cultural Heritage Tourism:
- Nominees must contribute to AIT's mission and serve as an ambassador for cultural heritage tourism.
Impact and Recognition:
- Nominees must have made a measurable impact in their field and demonstrate excellence in their category.
- Testimonials, reviews, or data should be included to highlight their success.

Select from the categories below to submit a nomination.

Award Category *

Pick the award you're nominating someone for. The relevant nomination questions will appear below.

Indigenous Destination of the Year

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Year Organization Established *

Number of Employees in Organization *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 high resolution photos of your nomination

Signature

Best Cultural Heritage Experience

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Year Organization Established *

Number of Employees in Organization *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 high resolution photos of your nomination

Signature

Excellence in Customer Service

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Year Organization Established *

Number of Employees in Organization *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 high resolution photos of your nomination

Signature

Industry Professional of the Year

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Year Organization Established *

Number of Employees in Organization *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 high resolution photos of your nomination

Signature

Best Indigenous Culinary Tourism Experience

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Year Organization Established *

Number of Employees in Organization *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less. *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous Tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 photos of your nomination

Signature

Indigenous Futures Award

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Choice *

I confirm the person I am nominating will be 30 years of age or younger on October 27, 2026.

Title

Organization *

Tribal Affiliation

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Notable Awards, Roles/Positions, etc.

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less. *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 high resolution photos of your nomination

Signature

Indigenous Artisan of the Year

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Tribal Affiliation

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 photos of artwork

Signature

Best Indigenous Musical Experience of the Year

Nominee Information

Person or Company Being Nominated *

Title

Organization *

Address *

Cell *

Email *

Awards or Ratings (i.e Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Yelp, awards received, etc.)

Is Nominee an AIT Member?

Yes No Unsure

Person Submitting This Nomination

Name (person making nomination) *

Title *

Organization *

Tribal Affiliation(s)

Address *

Phone *

Email *

Narrative Questions

Describe how the nominee meets the criteria for the award category in 300 words or less *

Describe how the nominee best exemplifies AIT's mission, "To define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values" in 300 words or less. *

Describe your personal experience(s) with the nominee(s) or the reason for your nomination in 300 words or less. *

Upload 3-5 photos of your nomination

Signature

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