A family-owned Aboriginal tourism business has gained funds it hopes will help accelerate its growth across the sector.
Rainforest to Bush Cultural Experiences (RTBCE) on Tuesday said $40,000 raised with the Esparq Futures Fund would allow it to capitalise on a strong year of tourism growth across North Queensland.
The fund is run by Esparq Ventures, which is focused on developing a business ecosystem for Indigenous entrepreneurs to succeed.
After a year of strong market traction, RTBCE will use the funding to expand its offerings from a walking tour to also delivering overnight experiences.
Esparq's support of RTBCE began at the business ideation stage and has since helped owners adopt an iterative approach to refining, launching and growing the business.
Nestled in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland, Rainforest To Bush offers tourists an experience in Aboriginal cultures of the Yidinji and Mbabaram peoples.
Its lineage stretches from World Heritage-listed rainforests of the Yidinji Nation to the vast savannah bushlands of Mbabaram Country, with daily tours and private tailored experiences across Traditional homelands.
RTBCE co-founder Allan Anderson said the funds had already helped the organisation purchase a tour bus, which would transform how the organisation operated.
"With this bus, tour guides and staff can transport clients to and from locations across the island faster, while expanding offerings of tours and tailored experiences across the Atherton Tablelands," he said.
"Our tourism business gives visitors an immersive cultural experience across our Traditional homelands of Yidinji and Mbabaram Countries.
"This funding gave us what we needed to continue to grow the business and make our dreams happen."
Mr Allan said traditional financial institutions didn't see the potential of the tourism business but that changed with Esparq, which has 100 per cent Indigenous membership and a majority Indigenous board.
"With Esparq's support we were able to capitalise on the early traction the business created in the market, while building sustainable back-office functions like finance and HR to ensure we were set up to grow and scale long-term," he said.
"As our business started growing, we needed funding but didn't have all the paperwork the big banks usually ask for.
"Esparq Ventures took time to really understand our business ... they backed us with the funding we needed to buy a tour bus, which has made a huge difference."
Esparq Ventures founder and CEO Darryl Majid said when RTBCE started, they didn't have a vehicle to use, but this didn't stop the business's tourism operation.
"Allan started with a walking tour, and hasn't looked back since. We're proud to be supporting RTBCE as they continue to reach for new heights," he said.
