21 December 2004
Driving Growth Through Indigenous Tourism Plan
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Clare Martin MLA
Chief Minister
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Two new Indigenous Tourism Development Officer positions are being created to help improve and grow Indigenous tourism in the Territory as part of the new Indigenous Tourism Strategy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, Clare Martin, said today.
“The Territory is Australia ’s leading destination for delivering Indigenous tourism experiences,” she said.
“The new Indigenous Tourism Strategy is a framework to maximise that edge and deliver more jobs for Territorians and create economic growth.
“It includes guiding principals for sustainable Indigenous tourism as well as a detailed action plan outlining specific projects and steps to be undertaken within set time frames.”
Ms Martin, said the NT Tourist Commission (NTTC) developed strategy is the result of broad consultation with stakeholders such as tour operators, communities and tourism organisations.
She said to maximise opportunities it’s important to have partnerships with the Central and Northern Land Councils and the two new Government officers will work closely with Land Councils. Two specialist Indigenous tourism development positions already exist in NTTC.
“Importantly, an Indigenous Tourism Reference Group - headed by Owen Cole - will review and drive the strategy as well as meeting regularly with NT stakeholders,” she said.
“ Owen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience - he’s Chair of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association, Chair of its subsidiary Imparja TV and is the Indigenous representative on the NTTC Board .”
Indigenous participants in the Strategy development identified 4 essential principals - cultural and ecological sustainability, quality and integrity, financial viability and community benefit.
Ms Martin said that Government is also undertaking a number of research projects to better understand and identify expectations and needs of visitors interested in indigenous culture.