03 December 2009

New body to champion indigenous tourism

SYDNEY - A new industry panel will offer opportunities for indigenous tourism operators to boost their presence in overseas markets, develop successful businesses and attract more tourists to Australia.

The Australian Tourism Export CouncilÃ¢â¬â¢s (ATEC) new indigenous Tourism Advisory Panel (ITAP) has been formed to help train and market indigenous tourism businesses to compete effectively in the global tourism marketplace.

ITAP is made up of key indigenous tourism suppliers, a number of mainstream tourism operators, and representatives from both the online and ITO distribution system as well as Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

Ã¢â¬ÅâœATEC, with the assistance of the Indigenous Tourism Advisory Panel, is in a unique position to accomplish three things,Ã¢â¬~ said ATEC chairman John King.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœFirstly, increase the presence of indigenous tourism within the global distribution system.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœSecondly, use mentoring, education, employment and training to bring a broader array of indigenous tourism products to export-ready standard.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThirdly, to bring indigenous tourism from a niche product to a core component of the unique Australian tourism experience,Ã¢â¬~ King said.

ATEC has also worked with Tourism Australia and IBA to organise the first export-ready Indigenous Tourism Champions workshop, where top-line operators were brought in to meet indigenous operators from around Australia to increase the presence of indigenous tourism products in international markets.

As well as advising the ATEC National Board on indigenous tourism development programmes, ITAP will also be able to initiate projects of its own, such as workshops or training programmes.