Alaska’s Congressional delegation supports new Native tourism bill

Published 9:05 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2016

On Friday, President Barack Obama signed into law a piece of legislation that requires federal agencies to include tribes and Native organizations when those federal agencies plan tourism programs.

The idea behind the bill, a bipartisan measure introduced by a Democratic U.S. Senator from Hawaii and a Republican U.S. Senator from North Dakota, is to boost cultural tourism nationwide.

The measure was supported by all three members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation.

In a prepared statement, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska; said the measure will help Alaska diversify its economy by improving cultural tourism opportunities in the state.