Aboriginal tourism wins $1m funding

The State Government has launched a new strategy for development and marketing of the Aboriginal Tourism industry in Western Australia, to be funded with $1 million over four years.

Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said in an announcement that the programme focused on partnerships between government and indigenous and non-indigenous tourism operators.

"It provides a blueprint for regional areas wanting to develop their own Aboriginal tourism strategy and will help Aboriginal people to participate more effectively in the tourism industry.

The strategy aims to ensure:

• Aboriginal people are appropriately assisted to participate more effectively in the tourism industry
• Improved access to capital and infrastructure funding
• Ensuring authentic, traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture is reflected appropriately in all Aboriginal tourism ventures
• Aboriginal people having diverse employment opportunities in the tourism and related industries
• Aboriginal people being able to maximise sustainable use of their lands and waters for tourism development
• Market ready product gets to the market place and is effectively promoted
• Training is provided to market ready operators on how to effectively participate in the market
• Monitor and review performance and build this knowledge into product and marketing strategy improvement
• Develop a mentoring program to support/develop the tier below market ready operators and shift them to being market ready

"There are also plans to pursue joint venture opportunities with Indigenous Business Australia and the new Department of Environment and Conservation," Ms McHale said.