Major boost for Australia’s Aboriginal tourism
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The government of Australia has awarded a grant of AU$825,000 (£541,00) 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. The scheme was launched by Australia’s Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson, and the Chairman of the Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation, Djawa Murrmurrnga Burarrwanga.
“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. “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.”
The masterplan was developed with the support of a former managing director of the Australian Tourist Commission (now Tourism Australia), John Morse, who said it was partially inspired by African safari camps managed by indigenous communities in Botswana. Major markets for Australia’s indigenous tourism include 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.
