President Barack Obama today signed into law bipartisan legislation that will provide native communities, including Native Hawaiians, access to planning and resources to help them develop cultural tourism programs.

The Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and John Thune.

“I’m incredibly proud to have worked with our native communities on this legislation, and I’m pleased the president has signed it into law,” said Senator Schatz. “This new law gives our native communities a real opportunity to grow their local economy and share their history and culture with the rest of the world.”

According to Schatz’s office, the NATIVE Act will require federal agencies with tourism assets and responsibilities to include tribes and native organizations in national tourism efforts and strategic planning. It will also provide Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and American Indian communities with access to resources and technical assistance needed to build sustainable recreational and cultural travel and tourism infrastructure and capacity; spur economic development and create good jobs.