Indigenous Tourism Advisory Council to identify new job and business opportunities

A new Indigenous Tourism Advisory Council formed to develop and enhance indigenous business opportunities throughout the Northern Territory has held its first meeting today.

Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Adam Giles said the new advisory council included representatives from the industry, land councils and Tourism NT who would work together to develop sustainable and prosperous indigenous tourism across the Northern Territory.

“My Government is working hard to support economic development in remote areas by building the capacity of Aboriginal communities so they can take full advantage of business and job opportunities,” he said.

“We already have some exceptional indigenous tourism products in the NT, but there is more work to be done to fully capitalise on international and domestic visitors continuing thirst for authentic indigenous experiences.

“The Indigenous Tourism Advisory Council will be an important group that will help identify new tourism products, ways to enhance existing businesses as well as opportunities for access to Aboriginal land and communities where there is a willingness to be involved in the tourism industry.”

Lirrwi Yolgnu Tourism chair Timmy Djawa Burrawarrwanga, who is on a number of North East Arnhem Land boards, described the advisory council as an important initiative that gave the industry a chance to consider the issues facing indigenous tourism in the Territory.

Mr Giles said the Country Liberals Government had set aside $4.75 million in this year’s Budget for a new Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund, with a particular focus on supporting regional and remote tourism products.

“Tourism is already the Territory’s biggest employer providing jobs for around 16,000 people, but we want the industry to grow even more and that’s why we’ve made the largest Government investment in tourism infrastructure in the Territory’s history,” he said.

“A thriving tourism industry will help to develop our regions, boost local businesses, create more jobs and grow the Territory economy.

“Improving indigenous tourism is an important part of the Country Liberals Government’s plan to drive the development of Northern Australia and build a $2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.”