Queensland Government announces Indigenous tourism strategy
The Queensland Government and Tourism & Events Queensland have named 2020 the Year of Indigenous Tourism.
“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been proudly practicing and preserving their cultures by sharing it with the next generation for tens of thousands of years,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“In modern times, their culture and stories have been an integral part of our tourism industry, attracting people from all around the world to learn more about the world’s oldest cultures.
Tourism Research Australia reports that 351,000 overseas visitors and 116,000 overnight domestic visitors took part in an Indigenous tourism experience in Queensland in the year ending March 2019.
The Queensland Government has launched a new $10 million Growing Indigenous Tourism in Queensland Fund to create economic opportunities and jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
The fund will support new, unique and innovative Indigenous tourism products and experiences in Queensland, particularly in regional areas. The fund comprises 2 categories, offering up to $25,000 to develop concepts for tourism products or experiences, and $250,000 to $1 million to improve or develop key tourism infrastructure or facilities.
Indigenous Tourism Development Service
Additionally, the Queensland Government is establishing a dedicated Indigenous Tourism Development Service to support Indigenous tourism in the state.
The new service would work with emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander operators to start and grow their businesses and products.
“The new Indigenous Tourism Development Service will play a key role, providing on-the-ground support for Indigenous tourism businesses, helping them access government and industry services,” Tourism Minister Kate Jones said.
“This is about growing our tourism industry to create jobs in Queensland.”
SEQ Indigenous Tourism Strategy
The State Government is also working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop an Indigenous tourism strategy for South East Queensland.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government wanted to give tourists greater access to Indigenous cultural experiences and to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with more business and employment opportunities.
“A working group of Traditional Owner groups from SEQ will identify gaps and opportunities to develop the tourism industry to deliver broad benefits across the entire region.”
Sprits of the Red Sand in Beenleigh is one of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences, featuring in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences brochure. The interactive theatrical performance includes dinner served on the homestead’s broad patio and shuttle transfers to and from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Mike Tamaki and Eddie Ruska perfected the play’s dialogue through extensive consultation with community elders, ensuring that the story, based on true events, is told in a way that is at once educational and inspiring.
The success of this experience highlights the opportunities that Logan City Council is keen to encourage. The Logan Destination Management Plan 2018-2022 seeks to position the city as a specialist cultural and arts events centre.
Need help establishing or growing your indigenous tourism offering in the City of Logan? Contact us on 07 3412 4888 or send us a message.
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