Major boost for Australian Aboriginal tourism
The government of Australia has awarded a grant of AU$825,000 (US$842,000) for the development of Aboriginal tourism in the country’s far north.
The funding will now be used by the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land, in Australia’s Northern Territory, to create a range of indigenous-owned tourism businesses.
The ‘Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan’ is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to develop new tourism opportunities for businesses owned and operated by indigenous people. Launched by Australia’s Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson, and the Chairman of the Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation, Djawa Murrmurrnga Burarrwanga, the masterplan aims to create sustainable employment and economic benefits for Yolngu people.
“We have been sharing our culture with visitors for many years, but we now want to move to the next stage and create a new economy based on cultural tourism in Arnhem Land,” Burarrwanga said. “We want to introduce people from Australia and all over the world to our country, our dance, our music, our ceremonies, our art and our unique way of life.
“During the next 20 years we will see the creation of many new small businesses which our children will inherit. This will help us stay connected to our homelands and our culture, creating employment for hundreds of Yolngu people while providing life-changing experiences for our visitors,” he added.
The masterplan has been developed with the support of a former Managing Director of the Australian Tourist Commission (now Tourism Australia), John Morse.
“The Yolngu people have an extraordinary vision and want to share their knowledge, culture and homelands with the outside world. The potential is very exciting and stands to benefit not just the Yolngu people but also the wider Australian tourism industry,” Morse said.
A panel of high-profile people is being formed to provide direction and advice to the development of the masterplan. This will be led by Yolngu Elder Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra and Tourism Australia’s Chairman Geoff Dixon.
In addition to the grant announced today under the ‘TQual Strategic Investments Grants’ initiative, the Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation is also seeking support from the private sector. Seven corporate partners have already committed to the plan and 10 more are sought.
“The enthusiasm and support for the masterplan indicates a very strong will by the government and the corporate sector to listen to the voices of Aboriginal people and help make a significant difference to their economic and cultural future. This potentially has significant implications for Aboriginal people across Australia who see tourism as a new way forward,” said Morse.
He added that the region’s tourism fundamentals were already in place, with good air connections, a strong and well-respected tourism organisation and a long-term strategy to develop tourism.
“Arnhem Land is a place of great natural beauty, with islands, beaches, river systems and a unique way of life that can’t be found in other parts of the world,” Morse said. “Imagine a network of small cultural tourism camps dotted across Arnhem Land and it’s very easy to see how exciting this concept is.”
The masterplan was in part inspired by successful African safari camps managed by indigenous communities in Botswana. It would benefit from strong interest in indigenous culture in several of Australia’s traditional tourism markets like Germany and the US, as well as in emerging markets in Asia and the large Australian domestic market.
“Australians have a strong desire to learn about and connect with Aboriginal culture. A survey in 2010 revealed that 94%t of Australians believe their children should learn about Aboriginal culture and considered this an important part of reconciliation,” explained Morse.
“Arnhem Land will never be a mass tourism destination, but it will be important in building Australia’s image around the world and creating a new future for the Yolngu people,” he added.