Rebecca S. Martinez has been named executive director of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, announced president Tina Osceola on Tuesday. Martinez, who worked most recently with the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, will join the AIANTA staff full-time beginning May 3. As executive director, she will lead day-to-day operations, oversee fundraising, manage and grow the long-standing successful annual American Indian Tourism Conference held every September and coordinate new initiatives and partnerships for the national organization.

“I’m excited to welcome Rebecca to AIANTA. We expect great things from her,” said Osceola. “Her passion, experience, relationships and drive will be key to taking AIANTA to the next level of national leadership in native tourism. Tourism is an important economic driver for Indian Country and gives us an opportunity to share our culture and our unique sovereign status with other peoples – both nationally and internationally.”

Said co-founder Edward Hall III: “Rebecca’s unique background and skills are tremendous assets to bring to the leadership of AIANTA. I believe we have the person who will help carry the opportunity of Indian Country tourism to the tribes and industry leaders.” As the capital outlay manager for the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, Martinez was responsible for administering state appropriations to hundreds of tribal projects and related programs.

For the full story, go the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Web site.

AIANTA is a nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses organized in 1999 to promote Indian Country tourism. The Association is made up of member tribes from six regions: Eastern, Plains, Midwest, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. The purpose of the Association is to serve as the voice and resource for it’s constituents in marketing tourism, providing training and educational resources to Tribal members, and serving as the liaison between Indian Country and governmental and private entities for the development, growth, and sustenance of Indian Country tourism.

Jodi Rave