Travel is back: Native tourism destinations

Kalle Benallie
ICT

The summer tourism season is in full swing for many because of COVID-19 vaccinations and restrictions loosening domestically and internationally. And it appears high gas prices and increased inflation aren’t having an immediate effect on vacations.

The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates U.S. travel and tourism could reach pre-pandemic levels of almost $2 trillion. The Department of Commerce estimated in 2019 the industry was worth $1.9 trillion.

And the first report to “formally track the economic impact of Native-owned hospitality businesses” showed in 2017 Native American tourism was a $14 billion industry.