Wednesday, May 8, 2019
The head of Aboriginal tourism sector of WA has raised questions for the growth of indigenous tourism as financing for a successful business program runs dry.
State Government contributions to the Aboriginal Tourism Development Program runs out on June 30th and the industry considers that it is improbable to get a fresh cash injection in the May State Budget.
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia however would not verify the program’s fate though, but said the Government was instead prepared to roll out a new Aboriginal tourism plan.
West Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council chief executive Robert Taylor explained that there was no reason to discontinue the effort.
“To put the ATDP (and Camping with Custodians) in perspective, some of the camp sites built on communities where they were going to cut off services, they now have a way of generating their own income to stay where they are,” he said.
“I think the State Government is short-sighted in not wanting to fund what the previous government did because it wasn’t their idea.”
“The way it works right now is working. Both Aboriginal tourism and the State are getting benefits, so why change it.”
Mr. Taylor said WAITOC would look for funding through other partners if the State Government ceased its commitment.
Mr. Papalia explained that the program had reached its natural end. There was no requirement to continue funding.
“We have our own plan, we have our own initiatives and we don’t have to fund the previous government’s programs,” he said.
“The data from Tourism Research Australia confirms when we inherited tourism in March 2017 things were dire and getting worse. We turned that around.”
“We are looking at a much more comprehensive response to Aboriginal tourism across all agencies, looking for opportunities to support and grow Aboriginal tourism right across the State.”
Tags: Aboriginal tourism
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Thursday, May 2, 2024
