Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 30, 2005 10:57:28 GMT -5
Plains reservation tourism promoted by advocates
Posted: November 30, 2005
by: The Associated Press
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A network formed to help bring tourism to reservations in South Dakota has launched a new campaign to promote its work.
Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates serves as a clearinghouse between people who want to visit Indian communities and South Dakota's nine reservations, said Daphne Richards-Cook, executive director of the group.
''We're the tribal arm of tourism in the state of South Dakota,'' she said.
With a new campaign titled ''We Want to Make Your Reservation to a Tribal Sovereign Destination,'' the agency is working to increase its visibility.
While the state's tourism industry has promoted images of American Indians to bring tourists to South Dakota, few reservations have their own tourism trade, said Richards-Cook. The reservations in South Dakota formed ATTA in 1993 to improve the tourism economy.
Each year, the agency has become more successful. Last year, the group moved its offices from Lower Brule to Rapid City.
''We want to forge a relationship with the Rapid City community,'' she said.
This fall, ATTA will work with Indian artists, storytellers and business people to organize outings for international tour groups that plan summer visits to the Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Cheyenne River reservations.
''The five-day itineraries will involve lodging, several education and craft sessions with stops in Wounded Knee, Kyle, Wanblee and Pine Ridge,'' she said.
A basic day tour to Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation begins at $50, with more elaborate visitor's packages costing $210 or more.
The tribes can't depend solely on the state to advance reservation tourism, Richards-Cook said. ''We have to promote our own image,'' she said.
Ruth Ziolkowski, Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation president and CEO, agreed.
As her family made progress on the mountain carving of Crazy Horse near Custer, tourism officials began to promote the family's venture. ''As we've grown, they've paid more attention to us. It's like they say: Nothing succeeds like success,'' she said.
Ziolkowski, 79, said she often recommends lodging and restaurants to her visitors. But Ziolkowski said she doesn't know of lodgings or businesses that she could promote on the Pine Ridge or Rosebud reservations.
''No one had educated me to what is down there,'' she said.
Ziolkowski encourages tribes to figure out ways to lure tourists to the reservation, and then work together to create a two- to three-day package.
''Then, make sure surrounding businesses are aware of it,'' she said
Posted: November 30, 2005
by: The Associated Press
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A network formed to help bring tourism to reservations in South Dakota has launched a new campaign to promote its work.
Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates serves as a clearinghouse between people who want to visit Indian communities and South Dakota's nine reservations, said Daphne Richards-Cook, executive director of the group.
''We're the tribal arm of tourism in the state of South Dakota,'' she said.
With a new campaign titled ''We Want to Make Your Reservation to a Tribal Sovereign Destination,'' the agency is working to increase its visibility.
While the state's tourism industry has promoted images of American Indians to bring tourists to South Dakota, few reservations have their own tourism trade, said Richards-Cook. The reservations in South Dakota formed ATTA in 1993 to improve the tourism economy.
Each year, the agency has become more successful. Last year, the group moved its offices from Lower Brule to Rapid City.
''We want to forge a relationship with the Rapid City community,'' she said.
This fall, ATTA will work with Indian artists, storytellers and business people to organize outings for international tour groups that plan summer visits to the Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Cheyenne River reservations.
''The five-day itineraries will involve lodging, several education and craft sessions with stops in Wounded Knee, Kyle, Wanblee and Pine Ridge,'' she said.
A basic day tour to Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation begins at $50, with more elaborate visitor's packages costing $210 or more.
The tribes can't depend solely on the state to advance reservation tourism, Richards-Cook said. ''We have to promote our own image,'' she said.
Ruth Ziolkowski, Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation president and CEO, agreed.
As her family made progress on the mountain carving of Crazy Horse near Custer, tourism officials began to promote the family's venture. ''As we've grown, they've paid more attention to us. It's like they say: Nothing succeeds like success,'' she said.
Ziolkowski, 79, said she often recommends lodging and restaurants to her visitors. But Ziolkowski said she doesn't know of lodgings or businesses that she could promote on the Pine Ridge or Rosebud reservations.
''No one had educated me to what is down there,'' she said.
Ziolkowski encourages tribes to figure out ways to lure tourists to the reservation, and then work together to create a two- to three-day package.
''Then, make sure surrounding businesses are aware of it,'' she said