Australia’s Indigenous tourism sector offers visitors a unique window into one of the world’s oldest living cultures. There has been a surge in demand for these experiences, but industry leaders say the sector is being overlooked, costing the economy millions of dollars in untapped potential.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00From the lush landscapes of Far North Queensland, the Mundrabee family is making waves in the
00:07tourism industry. Their Indigenous-owned and run tour company combines storytelling, environmental
00:14education and cultural experiences.
00:17The foundation of this is around providing employment that will create change through
00:22opportunity.
00:23Visitors embark on a scenic boat ride from Cairns, learning about the surrounding environment
00:29from an Indigenous guide during the short trip across the bay.
00:33On the other side, they're whisked away to a bush block for a traditional welcome
00:39and take a guided walk on traditional country.
00:43Today's contingent of North American tourists are impressed.
00:47I learned a lot. I learned about soap. I learned about natural stuff.
00:50The company now employs 22 people and welcomes more than 5,000 guests each year.
00:57But the journey has not been without its challenges.
01:01When we first started off, the conversation we had with industry and potential partners
01:06is sounds like a wonderful vision, guys. Good luck with that.
01:12A parliamentary inquiry has recommended sweeping changes, including the establishment of a
01:18First Nations tourism body to capitalise on the growing demand for Indigenous tourism.
01:24The new body would be separate from the existing taxpayer-funded Tourism Australia and would
01:30be modelled on the Western Australia Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, or WATOC.
01:35Developing the Aboriginal tourism sector so it's ready for the international market.
01:40The federal government says it's considering the report's findings.