MONUMENT VALLEY, U.T. – Mother Earth showered Monument Valley this afternoon with rain as many anticipated and rejoiced at the Navajo Nation ribbon-cutting ceremony of Goulding’s Lodge on Jun. 14, celebrating the Navajo Nation as the official new owners.
“This is a day we’ve been waiting for,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. “It’s an example of legislative and executive branch collaboration and demonstration of how business should be done.”
Speaker Crystalyne Curley and members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council joined President Nygren at the ceremony.
In the 1920s, Harry and Mike Goulding started their lodging business in the heart of Monument Valley, and today, it is one of the top tourist sites in the world.
In October 2023, the Navajo Nation purchased the lodge for $59.5 million. This purchase was in joint efforts of the 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Division of Economic Development.
The annual projected total revenue for this property ranges from $22 to $31 million.
The revenue will help support Navajo programs, businesses, services, and many other opportunities to strengthen the lives of the Navajo and the overall economy in the area.
Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise will manage and operate the lodges and agreed to a profit-sharing plan that provides profits and taxes of $7.4 million annually to the Navajo Nation. The current Diné staff of over 300 will keep their current jobs.
The Navajo Nation can now consolidate land holdings near the Oljato Chapter, which provides a remarkable land base for housing, community and economic development, and recreational needs.
“We have a lot of culture, history, land knowledge, and artistry that we share with the world,” said President Nygren. “We now have the opportunity to provide an authentic experience, educate our welcomed visitors, and provide growth, viable and local opportunities for our communities.”
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