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Travelers will go across the world to immerse themselves in other cultures when there are hundreds to explore right here at home. h “With the impact of COVID-19 on travel, people have been wanting to get out of the metropolitan cities, away from people, and get to those beautiful outdoor spaces in their own backyard,” said Sherry Rupert, CEO of the nonprofit American Indian Alaska Native Tourism

Association. “A lot of people don’t realize that in their backyard are these 574 tribes that are so unique and diverse at the same time.” h There are 574 federally recognized Native tribes across the U.S. and many members have opened their doors to cultural tourism, sharing their heritage while bringing business to their communities. h “Your experience in Alaska with the Alaska Natives is going to be very different than the Pueblos in New Mexico versus your experience with the Native Hawaiians in Hawaii,” said

MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RACHEL VAN BLANKENSHIP/USA TODAY NETWORK; AND GETTY IMAGES A Navajo man poses for tourists in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in Utah on May 16, 2015. Many Native tribes open their doors to tourism, bringing business to their communities.