A newly launched Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the region’s tourism industry by 2032.
Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan’s steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.
“The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032 with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling,” said Mundraby.
Walker said the fundamental principal that all tourism occurs on Country was at the heart of the plan.
“Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations,” he said.
“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.”
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Tropical North Queensland had enormous potential to grow cultural tourism experiences.
“Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions, but we know First Nations cultural experiences are increasingly sought after by visitors to this region,” Healy said.
”I want to thank Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the steering committee for their initiative and expertise in developing an Action Plan for local First Nations jobs and international visitor recovery.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland is uniquely placed to become an international leader in genuine First Nations visitor experiences.
“We’re home to world’s oldest living Indigenous cultures, which we have a wonderful opportunity to share globally ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond,” he said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange last week where the international travel trade were eager to learn about new Indigenous product.
“The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan is the voice of our region’s First Nations people to ensure that First Nations tourism grows in a respectful way,” he said.
