Tourism management on American Indian lands in the USA

Indian reservations in the USA hold considerable opportunity for visitors interested in both the cultural and natural resources available. In recent years, gaming has added another dimension to the spectrum of activities available on reservations. A survey of 118 tribes, most of which have some interest or involvement in tourism, found a diversity of ways in which tourism was managed. In part, this diversity reflected the different needs of tribes - ranging from those with a small land and population base to very large reservations. Variations in management style, however, also reflect cultural differences between tribes in the eastern and western USA. Most tribes have a very simple form of administration, although those involved in gaming have the most developed management infrastructure. Examples from several tribes show this diversity. Overall, much more could be done in tribal tourism management, both from a development perspective and a cultural protection orientation.