Tourism businesses in Western Australia have been equipped with a new resource to help identify gaps in their engagement and promotion of First Nations culture and community.
Peak industry body Tourism Council WA on Wednesday launched its 'Connecting to Culture' toolkit along with Tourism Western Australia's 'Aboriginal Cultural Inclusion Guides' at an industry event to enhance the WA tourism sector's cultural inclusivity.
The toolkit gave businesses access to an online program that helped identify current gaps in their engagement with First Nations culture and community.
A directory of resources on how to close those gaps are then provided so businesses can progress with clarity and confidence.
Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the Connecting to Culture Toolkit would assist non-First Nations-owned tourism businesses to build and grow connections with First Nations people and communities.
"Recognising the importance of responsible and inclusive tourism, the Connecting to Culture Toolkit encourages the development of authentic tourism practices that respect cultural, community, and environmental considerations," Mr Hall said.
"This toolkit represents a major milestone in helping WA tourism businesses engage with First Nations communities in a respectful and meaningful way."
Demand from tourists in Australia to experience First Nations culture is greater than ever before. Austrade's Tourism Research Australia found there were three million trips that included First Nations tourism activities in 2023–24, the highest number on record, while interest from international visitors is also at record highs.
WA Indigenous Tourism Operators Council CEO Robert Taylor said there was growing visitor appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the state's Aboriginal communities.
Mr Taylor, a Nhanda Yamaji man, was recently elected to lead a new national Indigenous tourism body alongside Cameron Costello, a Quandamooka man from Moreton Bay, as his deputy chair, who also serves as chair of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council.
The new national body would be established to ensure the growing demand for First Nations businesses and people were best placed to benefit from the growing sector.
Mr Taylor said the voices of many Indigenous people would be heard with the establishment of the new body.
"What's exciting is the interest we're seeing from the broader tourism industry to learn about Aboriginal culture, and how they can be involved," Mr Taylor said.
"This partnership will enhance the opportunities to grow First Nations tourism in Australia."
WA Tourism minister Reece Whitby said visitors to WA were seeking tourism operators that offered culturally-inclusive experiences.
"We want tourism businesses to enhance their inclusivity of Aboriginal culture and increase collaboration with First Nations communities," he said.
The national Connecting to Culture Toolkit was developed with the Australian Tourism Industry Council's First Nations Reference Group, and was supported by the Federal Government through Austrade's Quality Tourism Framework Grant.