Indigenous tourism, builds strong communiities

As part of the Global Eco Asia Pacific Tourism conference the busy schedule of events will also see the launch of the Indigenous Tourism Forum on the 28 October.

This standalone forum will feature truly unique case studies presented by inspiring personalities form around the globe. Keys to success and practical international examples presented by operators as well as government programs and new technology tools will be the highlights of this session.

Presenting the key issues and innovative solutions to maintain high quality indigenous tourism experiences, Darren Capewell will share his personal journey into indigenous tourism and the key factors that have contributed to his success. This presentation will outline some of the reasons for the demise of those Indigenous tourism businesses that failed and how we can overcome the impediments, barriers and stereotypes to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities that currently exist for Indigenous people to get involved in the tourism industry as well as make it easier for the tourist to access these experiences.

In the same line, Bruce Poon will talk about Changing People’s Lives Through Community Partnerships by taking example on his business Gap Adventures. Organizing small-group adventure tours to off-the-beaten-path destinations, Gap Adventures was awarded the 2009 World Savers Award by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, as well as the 2009 Travel and Leisure Global Vision Leadership Award for voluntourism.

Kim Harrington and Wendy Hill, respectively from Tourism Queensland and Indigenous Business Australia will present the Indigenous Tourism Champions Program developed to improve the marketability and promotion of the indigenous tourism sector.

James MacLatchie will convey his passion and strong involvement in preserving and promoting the culture and landscape of his native land, the Outer Hybrids (Scotland) through his presentation “Creating an Indigenous Experience at the Edge of the World”.

Douglas Hainsworth will present a case study from rural Vietnam and how community based tourism can contributed to broad-based local development benefits for a poor, rural indigenous community that include: cultural revitalization, enhanced local governance and social capital, and enhanced income earning opportunities for some of the poorest and most marginalized groups.

Andrew Lane will identify the key trends in tourism marketing technologies going into the next 5-10 years and how the Indigenous Tourism Online Program, managed by V3, is one tool that can help small businesses take advantage of these changes. The key objective is to ‘e-commerce enable’ Indigenous tourism operators across Australia to maximize exposure to consumers.

Ecotourism Australia’s annual event, will take place in Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Australia from the 25th to the 28th of October providing an interactive platform of networking opportunities through field trips, discussions and debates, panel sessions, networking drinks, gala dinners that are valuable ways to link with local and international operators and policy makers.

The 4 day conference program will articulate around 2 plenary program days featuring our international keynote and leading speakers, a 5 theme stream session day (Interpretation Enhancing Experiential Tourism; Marketing the Tourism ‘Experience’; Strategic Partnerships Delivering Sustainable Tourism; Sustainability and Climate Change and Tourism in Protected Areas) and an indigenous tourism forum ensuring delegates will obtain detailed information, key learning’s and advice tailored to ones specific activity.

More info on www.globaleco.com.au

Get free sustainable tourism reports from Vision on Sustainable Tourism HERE

Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suitewww.travelmole.com/stories/1143624.php