MoU to strengthen Indigenous tourism

The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) and the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the position of Indigenous tourism in Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Coinciding with the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) currently underway in Perth, the MoU will support the growth of Australian Indigenous tourism as an integral part of the Australian tourism industry.

ATEC Chair, John King explained "tourism creates many positives by helping to preserve culture, grow understanding, tolerance and peace and enriching tourism experience.

"Along with the obvious economic benefits for local communities, Indigenous tourism also adds significantly to the overall 'Australian' experience we can offer our international visitors."

Presented by WAITOC, AITC has bought together a range of international presenters from the United States, New Zealand, Nepal, Papa New Guinea and Fiji to facilitate the sharing of insights on issues and opportunities around Indigenous employment in tourism, Indigenous business capacity development and enhancing Indigenous product offering.

WAITOC Chief Executive Johnny Edmonds states "the conference provides an opportunity to benchmark our developments against Indigenous tourism developments in other countries and is an important aspect for the sustainable growth of Indigenous tourism in Australia.

"The MoU represents the desire of WAITOC, as the only Indigenous tourism association operating in Australia, to demonstrate the contribution that an empowered Indigenous tourism industry can make to the overall development of the tourism industry."

In March 2012, ATEC will continue this momentum with the inaugural Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference to be held in Darwin. The conference organising partners include the Pacific Asia Travel Association, ATEC, Tourism NT and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

Introducing the conference, King adds "Tourism and Indigenous People - Enriching our Future Together will work to establish the role of tourism in Indigenous advancement and cultural preservation and encourage Indigenous tourism development.

"Together with WAITOC, we will be working to take Indigenous tourism from the margins to the mainstream of our tourism industry."

The Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference that will take place from 28th to 30th March 2012.

For more information go to www.paitc.com

19th July 2010 - DEMAND FOR AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS TOURISM

1st October 2008 - AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS TOURISM CONFERENCE 2009