Aboriginal Tourism Ashes Grabbed Out of Fire?

Last week Aboriginal Tourism Australia (which provides a central point for Australia-wide aboriginal groups) announced its forced closure.

It said “in recent times it has become increasingly difficult to survive and we have done so through the tireless work of our staff and a number of other people in voluntary roles along with the financial assistance of a few organisations, both corporate and government, who have shared our vision …The Board of Directors have arrived at just one conclusion ­ that we are unable to see a sustainable future for Aboriginal Tourism Australia. Consequently the Board of Directors has resolved that Aboriginal Tourism Australia Ltd will cease trading at the end of July 2008.”

By 29th July Ecotourism Australia and Aboriginal Tourism Australia issued a joint statement as follows:

Ecotourism Australia and Aboriginal Tourism Australia have reached a landmark agreement formulated to maximise the future growth of the
“Respect Our Culture” (ROC) Certification Program through the national tourism industry network of Ecotourism Australia.

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Stephen Pahl said “the new joint arrangement will draw from the long established commitment of Ecotourism Australia to Indigenous Tourism development and Indigenous culture to maximise the presence and level of best practice of this important tourism industry sector”

Ecotourism Australia and Aboriginal Tourism Australia have been working on finding a way to ensure that the Tourism Business Accreditation of existing ROC Certified Businesses remains active and grow after the planned closure of ATA on 31st July 2008.

Aboriginal Tourism Australia Director, Rick Murray said “We have now reached an agreement with Ecotourism Australia to rehouse ROC businesses. Those businesses which have a natural area focus will transfer into the Eco Certification program at Nature Tourism level. From there they will be encouraged to aim to upgrade to Ecotourism standard or beyond over time.

The other ROC certified businesses will have their accreditation administered by Ecotourism Australia and will be granted membership of Ecotourism Australia to ensure they continue to have involvement in a national tourism organisation. All the operators will continue to have all their rights and responsibilities as ROC Accredited Operators. All of this will take place at no cost to the operators and ATA will transfer the fees they have paid us this year to EA.

Ecotourism Australia CEO Stephen Pahl said “In addition, all of the indigenous owned, ROC Certified businesses will be offered free
registration at the annual Ecotourism Conference to be held this year in Adelaide. Their registration costs (around $900 each) will be met
using funds provided to ATA by the Indigenous Land Corporation. ATA will not be running its planned Business Development Symposium this year, so we hope that this offer will enable these businesses to gain similar skill and knowledge improvements along with networking opportunities with the broader industry.”

Over the coming weeks ATA Directors will be working with EA to define criteria that will enable ROC Certification to continue to be issued
in the future with linkages to the Eco Certification program.

“ATA is very grateful to Ecotourism Australia for the timely assistance they have given us in identifying a way forward for ROC Certification and its operators” said Mr Murray.

Said Ron Mader of Planeta.com: “Aboriginal Tourism Australia’s work has been first-rate and it’s disheartening to see the group close its doors. For those of us half-way around the world it is a challenge to learn about grassroots efforts, particularly those conceived by indigenous and aboriginal people. Capacity building takes time for tour providers as well as for outsiders like myself who have so much to learn about Australia.”

“The closure of ATA is yet another rupture that interrupts a dialogue between indigenous and non-indigenous tourism professionals. 2008 should be the time for making improvements, particularly after this year’s Tourism Research Australia report that found both international and interstate visitors had ‘major issues’ in finding out where to interact with Aboriginal people.”

Valere Tjolle