Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism. Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Sponsors: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Target Audience
Population: Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian individuals
Estimated Size: 8400000
- The bill directly targets Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the development of tourism-related activities.
- There are 574 federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States as of 2021.
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 6.9 million American Indian and Alaska Native people in the United States.
- The Native Hawaiian population in the United States is estimated at over 1.4 million people.
- The bill affects organizations that work with these populations in enhancing tourism, which could provide economic benefits, employment opportunities, and cultural promotion.
- Given the focus on tourism, both the people involved in tourism-related sectors and the wider community will benefit from increased tourism.
- The global indigenous population is approximately 370 million people, but this bill specifically targets indigenous populations in the US and Native Hawaiians.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by the policy comprises numerous tribes and Native communities across the US, which means a large population could potentially be impacted. However, the actual impact depends on the implementation reach and the organizations' ability to promote tourism effectively.
- The $70,000,000 USD allocated in year 1 and $832,500,000 USD over 10 years need to be distributed among many tribes and Native Hawaiian communities, implying that individual impacts might be more pronounced for communities that receive larger grants based on their project proposals.
- People engaged directly in tourism-related activities are likely to experience more immediate economic benefits and perhaps improved wellbeing due to job creation and cultural revitalization efforts.
Simulated Interviews
Cultural Guide (Navajo Nation, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could really help our community showcase our culture and traditions to the world, which is something we've been trying to do for a long time with limited resources.
- I hope it will create new jobs for the youth and keep them engaged.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Hotel Manager (Honolulu, HI)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more tourists interested in our culture could boost our business significantly.
- I am optimistic but cautious about how the funds will be used—whether the projects truly provide long-term benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Nez Perce Reservation, ID)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as an opportunity for our young people to connect with their culture and perhaps find jobs within our community.
- I am hopeful but wish there was a focus on sustainability and environmental protection too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Urban Planner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased tourism could help fund important infrastructure projects in Native areas, with proper planning.
- It's essential that this policy empowers local leadership in decision-making.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Entrepreneur (Big Island, HI)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our tour company has struggled during the pandemic, and this policy might help us get back on our feet by attracting more visitors.
- I hope there are ways for smaller businesses like ours to directly access some of this funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Teacher (Chinle, AZ)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Incorporating more cultural and tourism opportunities could greatly enhance educational experiences for my students.
- I hope this can also lead to more teaching materials and resources focused on Native culture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Artist (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grant could help highlight our art and bring greater appreciation and possibly market sales.
- It remains vital that such tourism respects cultural integrity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Activist (Portland, OR)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about environmental impacts if tourism is not managed well.
- Economic benefits are important, but they should not come at the cost of our land and cultural sites.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
General Public (Mobile, AL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe federal support for cultural tourism is a positive step.
- I am curious if such initiatives could extend beyond Indigenous populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Travel Blogger (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could lead to more authentic and diverse content for my blog and expose readers to genuine cultural experiences.
- I hope it's not just commercial tourism but meaningful exchanges that benefit both the visitors and the hosts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $95000000)
Year 3: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $85000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $105000000)
Year 10: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Year 100: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- The success relies heavily on effective management and allocation of grants.
- Coordination across federal agencies may add complexity to grant administration.
- Long-term sustainability of tourism projects is essential to ensure continued benefits.
- Potential cultural sensitivities must be managed to protect indigenous and native identities.