Native Tourism Gets a Boost: Bill Unlocks $35 Million in Grants for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Communities Through 2029

This bill is looking to put more muscle behind Native American and Native Hawaiian tourism by amending the existing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act. The big change? It greenlights the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to dish out grants directly to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Plus, it expands the roster of federal agencies—think Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Labor—that can also chip in with these grants. To make this happen, the bill authorizes a cool $35 million to be set aside for these programs from fiscal year 2025 all the way through 2029.

More Avenues for Tourism Funding

So, what does this mean on the ground? Essentially, it's about opening up more direct pathways for funding to flow into Native communities looking to develop or enhance their tourism offerings. Before, the grant landscape might have been a bit more restrictive. This amendment specifically empowers the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Director of the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to manage and distribute these funds. It also means that a wider range of federal agencies, each with their own expertise and resources, can now contribute. For example, a grant from the Department of Transportation could help improve roads leading to a cultural site, while one from the Department of Agriculture might support agritourism initiatives on tribal lands.

What Can $35 Million Do?

The $35 million authorized over five fiscal years (2025-2029) is the financial engine for these expanded grant programs. This isn't just a number; it represents potential for real projects. Imagine a Native Hawaiian organization using a grant to develop an app that guides visitors through historic sites, or an Indian tribe securing funds to build a new visitor center that showcases local art and history. These grants could help market cultural festivals to a wider audience, train community members in hospitality, or preserve and share traditional stories and crafts with visitors. The idea is to empower these communities to take the lead in developing sustainable tourism that respects their heritage and boosts their local economies.

Strengthening Local Economies and Cultural Exchange

Ultimately, this bill aims to leverage tourism as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation within Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. By making it easier to access federal grants, the legislation could help create jobs, support small businesses, and provide a platform for sharing rich cultural traditions with a broader audience. For the rest of us, it could mean more opportunities for authentic and enriching travel experiences. The focus is on enabling these communities to build and manage their tourism sectors in ways that are meaningful and beneficial to them, fostering both economic growth and deeper cultural understanding.