Akwesasne Travel Named Champions of Change by New York State Tourism
Oct 5, 2023
AKWESASNE -- Akwesasne Travel was among the honorees at the 2023 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards, held September 14 at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York as part of the New York State Tourism Industry Associations’ annual meeting.
The Akwesasne Travel team and staff of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Office of Economic Development were on hand to accept the Excellence in Sustainable Stewardship: Champions of Change award. The category, new in 2023, highlights the growing significance of sustainability initiatives in New York State tourism. Nominees included individuals, communities, and organizations working toward more sustainable practices, encouraging more conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior, promoting the appreciation of local cultures, supporting local conservation efforts, reducing carbon emissions, implementing sustainable benefits, or participating in local decision-making efforts that support greener communities.
The overall pool of awards nominations was extraordinarily competitive, surpassing 2022’s total by 40 percent.
“We are honored to be recognized by NYSTIA as Champions of Change,” said Manager Penny Peters when the recipients were announced in July. “Cultural and environmental stewardship are pillars of Akwesasne Travel’s tourism program. As Onkwehon:we (original people), we are guided by traditional teachings of community living, seventh generation planning and the interconnection of all things. We work with our tour suppliers to design itineraries that encourage, educate, and share these practices with our visitors. To be recognized for these efforts is very meaningful as we continue to develop and market Akwesasne’s tourism industry.”
“Any time that we, as Onkwehon:we people see our efforts to be recognized by such a prestigious organization such as the New York State Tourism Industry Association that our practices and culture is acknowledged by the outside world is a tremendous honor,” said Tribal Chief Ronald Lafrance.
During the ceremony, the presenter offered this comment from the selection committee: “Destinations across the globe could benefit from implementing Akwesasne Travel’s initiatives to support, empower, and promote Indigenous cultural heritage.”
Akwesasne Travel is the destination management and marketing organization (DMMO), operating within the SRMT Office of Economic Development. It offers specially designed tours featuring hands-on experiences with experts in the arts of traditional wooden lacrosse stick making, splint basketry, loom beadwork, and herbal remedies. Akwesasne Travel’s guided museum and cultural center tours explore the past, present, and future of the Mohawk and Haudenosaunee through storytelling, art, and artifacts.
The awards ceremony was emceed by Ross Levi, Vice President/Executive Director of Tourism for Empire State Development/NYS Division of Tourism, and Kelly Curtin, 2023 NYSTIA Board Chair and Executive Vice President of New York City Tourism + Conventions. Nearly two dozen organizations, initiatives and individuals were recognized.
The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are open to all New York State tourism marketers and are juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. Nominees spanned every corner of New York State and judges were challenged by the diversity and quality of the entries.
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About Akwesasne Travel:
Akwesasne Travel is the official Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO) for the Mohawk community of Akwesasne. It is based within the Office of Economic Development of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe located in Akwesasne, New York on the U.S.-Canada border. Akwesasne Travel offers cultural tours featuring hands-on experiences with experts in the ancient arts of traditional wooden lacrosse stick making, splint basketry, loom beadwork, and herbal remedies. Akwesasne Travel’s special museum and cultural center tours explore the past, present, and future of the Mohawk and Haudenosaunee through storytelling, art, and artifacts. Akwesasne Travel was named 2022 Tribal Destination of the Year by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and is a recipient of the New York State Tourism Industry Association’s 2023 Tourism Excellence Award.
About New York State Tourism Industry Association:
The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) is a member-driven, 501(c)6 nonprofit organization at the vanguard of transformational tourism marketing, stewardship and long-term strategic planning. We assist our members in advancing responsible economic growth, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, supporting small business success, and increasing state and local tax revenues in order to improve the standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents. We achieve these goals by facilitating the success of our members in realizing the economic potential of New York State's tourism industry as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, exceptional marketing programs, industry research and legislative awareness for the private sector of New York State's tourism industry. www.nystia.org
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.