Indigenous tourism hit hard by Coronavirus crisis

August 13, 2020

Australia’s Indigenous tourism sector - one of the industry’s top performers over the past decade - has been hit hard by Coronavirus travel restrictions and border closures.

The newly released Indigenous Tourism Sector Analysis commissioned by Tourism and Events Queensland shows that international tourists accounted for at least 65% of participants in the state’s indigenous tourism visitors, a downward trend echoed around Australia.

Of these 25% were from China, 15% United States and 10% United Kingdom.

The report also reveals that the sector faced challenges pre-COVID with indigenous tourism visitors slumping from 428,000 to 424,000 in 2018/19 after outstanding growth of 55% in the preceding four years.

However, spending in 2018/19 did increase and reached a record $505 million, up 15% year on year.

Following the release of the findings last month, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the state’s Year of Indigenous Tourism promotion will extend into 2021, advising “Queensland’s tourism and events industry is enduring an incredibly difficult year due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

“And Its common sense now to extend the Year of Indigenous Tourism through into 2021, so we can further boost the profile of Indigenous experiences in Queensland as our state recovers from the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Extending this state-wide promotion will play a vital role in our economic recovery as today’s release of an extensive study of this growing sector shows.

“Now, more and more tourists want a cultural experience when they travel and Queensland is perfectly placed to capitalise on that demand.”

The Indigenous Tourism Sector Analysis report also showed that more than 420,000 visitors take part in an Indigenous tourism activity every year and that the sector and employs nearly 2500 people on a full-time basis.

Acknowledging the value of the study, Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones, stated “this comprehensive supply and demand study is the first of its kind into Indigenous tourism in Queensland.

“It proves just how important Indigenous tourism will be to the future of the whole industry in Queensland.

“Cultural experiences will be integral to a resurgence in international tourism as the recovery kicks in following COVID-19.”

Noting that the report found the potential for the Indigenous tourism sector promising, with the industry on a ‘positive trajectory of sustainable growth and development’, Minister Jones added “not only has this study provided us with a better understanding of the value of Indigenous tourism to Queensland, but it gives us insights into how we can continue to grow and develop this important sector of Queensland’s tourism industry.

“The report stated that Indigenous tourism businesses in Queensland are in a unique position to consolidate efforts of the last 10 years by strategically capitalising on the Year of Indigenous Tourism and the launch of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan earlier this year.

“Tourists and holidaymakers are seeking an authentic experience. When they travel they really want to delve into the local culture, understand a destination’s people and leave feeling more enriched.

“The growing number of visitor experiences on offer is a fantastic way to showcase Queensland’s rich Indigenous heritage to travellers and provide insights and appreciation of Australia’s history and traditions, which date back more than 60,000 years.

“From Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and the renowned Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park north of Cairns to the incredible natural setting of Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and a host of new experiences being developed with the Quandamooka people on Minjerribah, Queensland is the best place for tourists to discover Australia’s ancient culture.”

The Indigenous Tourism Sector Analysis was commissioned by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), with the research conducted by the University of Queensland and Griffith University.

Click here to downland the report.

Images: Queensland's Year of Indigenous Tourism (top, courtesy of TEQ), Olkola National Park (middle) and Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones (below).

12th August 2020 - Ecotourism Australia’s annual conference offers inaugural online streaming

8th August 2020 - Western Australian Government’s latest industry boost to inject $150 million into tourism

6th August 2020 - Bushfires and Coronavirus impact Australian tourism with no imminent respite

2nd August 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council advises dedicated program of support required to survive latest lockdown

28th July 2020 - Indigenous leaders worried about future of Dreamworld Corroboree precinct

28th July 2020 - Tasmanian Government delivers record investment into parks and reserves to boost tourism

21st July 2020 - Sustainable tourism infrastructure projects announced for Shoalhaven

15th July 2020 - South Australian nature-based tourism destinations to receive funding boost

12th July 2020 - Federal Government to provide $233 million backing for tourism in national parks

11th July 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes business support package for ‘battered’ tourism industry

3rd July 2020 - Aboriginal culture honoured with renaming of King Leopold Ranges to Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges

21st June 2020 - Northern Territory Government awards Aboriginal Tourism Grants

13th May 2020 - UNWTO says international tourism faces worst crisis since records began

6th April 2020 - 88,000 hectares of NSW wetland returned to indigenous owners

27th March 2020 - Access restricted to Kimberley and remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities

3rd February 2020 - Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Chief Executive acknowledged in Australia Day Honours

19th November 2019 - Northern Territory releases 10-year Aboriginal Tourism Strategy

11th November 2019 - Queensland Government announces 2020 as the Year of Indigenous Tourism

11th July 2019 - Overseas visitors becoming increasingly interested in Aboriginal culture

11th July 2019 - Traditional Owners partnership delivers new way forward for Cape York’s national parks

21st November 2018 - New UNWTO Report helps cities manage impacts of ‘overtourism’

3rd October 2018 - Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs look to advance opportunities at Lorne conference

20th May 2016 - New laws for National Parks recognise Traditional Owners and improve tenure resolution on Cape York

16th July 2014 - Tourism Australia celebrates achievements of Indigenous Tourism Champions

4th October 2012 - Historic Indigenous tourism initiative gets international recognition

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.