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To be held in Bunbury, Western Australia from Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th March 2016, the 8th Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) will bring together Aboriginal tourism representatives, businesses and organisations from Australia to showcase the diversity of Aboriginal culture in Australia and celebrate the achievements made in the tourism industry.

With the theme ‘Walking Together – Building Sustainable Futures’, the conference will focus on four key areas of indigenous tourism” Youth, Environment, Culture and the Business of Tourism.

The conference’s broad program includes national and international speakers as well local operators sharing their journey and passion for their culture and country and discussing the opportunities and challenges within the industry through plenary sessions and presentations by industry leaders in the field.

Among an exciting line up of speakers presenting on the latest trends within the tourism industry, AITC will welcome Daniel Levine to Western Australia.  Levine is the leader of the Avant-Guide Institute in New York City and head of a large team of trend spotters. He has spoken at more than 300 events worldwide and consulted to a number of companies and associations helping them understand consumer trends and develop relevant profitable products and services.

Since the AITC in 2004, the aim is to hold the conference in regions around Australia to showcase the diversity of Aboriginal culture in Australia and celebrate the achievements made in the tourism industry. Although the South West Geographe Margaret River region is known for gourmet food and wine experiences, it’s also rich in its cultural history and experiences.

Tourism Australia turned the spotlight on indigenous tourism in a latest marketing push with a campaign that aims to shed the myth those experiences are limited to remote parts of the country.

A short promotional film directed by Australian filmmakers Brendan Fletcher and Warwick Thornton showcases a range of activities that are available not only in the outback but in rain forests, the tropics and in city centres.

The film has been distributed in Australia and overseas as Tourism Australian looks to grow the international tourists who participate in an Aboriginal cultural experience.

Fletcher and Thornton worked with nine indigenous tourism operators to produce the content.

Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan explained “Australia’s indigenous experiences are a unique and important part of our tourism offering.

“Currently 14% of our international visitors participate in an Aboriginal cultural experience during their trip, helping to inject $6.4 billion annually into our visitor economy.

“We’re confident this new short film, and our plans to make sure it is widely distributed both in Australia and overseas, will help promote this important facet of Australian tourism and grow these figures.”

For more information on the 2016 Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference, click here to view event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images show scenes from Brendan Fletcher and Warwick Thornton film on Aboriginal tourism.

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