The Green Book Institute, in collaboration with the National Tour Association (NTA), is hosting a unique event this fall: A Celebration of Cultural Tourism Dinner.
Scheduled for November 18 in Huntsville, Alabama, this event will celebrate the achievements and contributions of those who have advanced diversity and cultural tourism.
The dinner pays homage to the legacy of the Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide that, for nearly three decades, helped Black travelers navigate the challenges of segregation during the era of Jim Crow laws. This inaugural celebration will honor organizations, community leaders, and travel professionals who have made significant contributions to fostering diversity and cultural tourism.
A special focus of the event will be recognizing those who, through their invaluable contributions to the Green Book, paved the way for a more inclusive travel landscape. These pioneers will be honored in five categories: Transportation, Lodging, Community Partner, Restaurant, and Indigenous/Native American Partner. The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association has supported the selection and recommendation process for the Indigenous/Native American Partner category.
David Jackson, Executive Director of the Green Book Institute, expressed the significance of this event by saying, “With this celebration, we will honor the inspiring story of the Green Book and those who helped shape and sustain it. We also will lift up our work of today, which connects small businesses and entrepreneurs with the global tourism community.” His words capture the spirit of the event, a blend of joy, perseverance, and triumph.
The dinner will be held during the NTA’s annual Travel Exchange, a gathering of packaged travel professionals, including tour operators, destination representatives, hotels, restaurants, motorcoach companies, and experience providers. Their presence will add a contemporary dimension to a celebration that acknowledges the foundational work of past travel industry pioneers.
Catherine Prather, President of NTA, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “It is an absolute honor to help host this wonderful event that pays tribute to those in our industry who acted with courage and compassion. Our association prioritizes the ideals of the Green Book Institute, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the good that travel can bring to the world.”
The event, set to take place at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center, will be emceed by Denella Ri’chard, host and producer of the globally streaming television show “Traveling With Denella Ri’chard.” The dinner will celebrate not only the Green Book pioneers and the indigenous partners but also tourism and civic leaders from Huntsville, recognizing their ongoing efforts in promoting inclusive and diverse travel experiences.
The Green Book Institute’s Celebration of Cultural Tourism Dinner promises to be a momentous event, shining a light on the past while building bridges for the future of travel and tourism.
