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key indigenous australian issues
| home | news lLift livesGrowing indigenous tourism will help address future challenges Press release - e-travel blackboard "On so many levels the business case, the cultural case and the environmental case for more Indigenous tourism venture is starting to look very encouraging," Mr Entsch said."Just over half (54 per cent) of the Australians interviewed for a recent study into demand for Indigenous tourism products have participated in an Indigenous activity in the last five years, while just under half (45 per cent) were interested in one of the Indigenous tourism concepts proposed in the study." Mr Entsch said while one challenge was to turn this 'potential' into tangible new tourism opportunities and thriving businesses, there are also strong natural links between commercial tourism initiatives, the environment, and Indigenous culture and heritage that should not be ignored."Our natural wonders are without doubt some of Australia's greatest tourism assets. They present significant opportunities for Indigenous communities to share aspects of their culture and heritage with tourists, as well as providing practical benefits such as income and employment," Mr Entsch said."While the economic potential of sharing these sites through new tourism partnerships are clear, it also presents new opportunities to address some of our most pressing environmental challenges - such as controlling feral animals and noxious weeds."I believe Indigenous tourism operators should be a key partner with governments, including park managers, in working towards both the sustainable utilisation, and long-term protection and management of national parks and other protected areas. "We already employ this philosophy in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where tourism operators conduct successful commercial tourism operations on the reef, while at the same time working with the Marine Park Authority to preserve the surrounding marine environment. "So why is it that we cannot take this same principle and apply it to our land-based national parks and protected areas," Mr Entsch asked."I see that one challenge is to identify sustainable tourism opportunities within our protected areas. And the challenge for governments at all levels in Australia is to take off the blinkers and look at the tourism industry as a partner in the long-term protection and management of our national parks," he said .Mr Entsch said the Australian Government was already working with key stakeholders to develop a new shared vision for sustainable tourism within Kakadu National Park, and had implemented new funding programs to support the development of new Indigenous and conservation-based tourism initiatives.For example, Mr Entsch said the Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism would use mentors or business advisors to assist Indigenous tourism businesses that either already exist or are starting up, and need to develop business skills - such as market research, business and strategic planning, and management skills. Mr Entsch also congratulated Aboriginal Tourism Australia, the organisers
of the Expo."Showcasing the best in Indigenous Australian dance,
music, art and stories is an excellent way of introducing the Australian
public to the diverse range of tourism experiences available."The
hands-on cultural experiences on offer here today give non-Indigenous
Australians a real insight into the unique nature of Aboriginal Australia,
and its ancient customs." Source = Warren Entsch, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources Source: e-travel blackboard
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