Indigenous tourism operators in Western Australia have urged the WA Government to increase funding in a sector where participation rates more than doubled in recent years.

The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council submitted a $40 million investment plan to leverage growing demand for Aboriginal tourism to the state government months before Saturday's state election, a proposal strongly supported by the WA Tourism Council.

WAITOC chief executive Rob Taylor said the niche industry preserved and shared the world's oldest living culture with tourists, and extra funding would benefit the 180-plus small businesses throughout WA and boost economic growth and employment in the communities they operate.

"Our $40m investment proposal for Aboriginal tourism – an industry that not only preserves and shares the world's oldest living culture but also drives investment – would leverage the interest local, interstate and international visitors have in Indigenous culture," he told the National Indigenous Times.

"With 86 per cent of visitors to WA seeking an Aboriginal tourism experience, and participation rates more than doubling in recent years, now is the time to back a sector that delivers strong cultural, social, and economic returns.

"Investment in Aboriginal tourism is investment in the future of Western Australia, creating sustainable businesses, meaningful employment, and greater cultural understanding for all."

Mr Taylor said more investment would help tourism operators remain sustainable and allow capacity for business growth, further increasing employment as well as cultural understanding for tourists.

WA Tourism Council chief executive Evan Hall backed WAITOC's proposal for WA government investment to double from $20m to $40m.

"Extra funding for WAITOC was not in the state budget going forward, and I hope all political parties would commit to continue funding Aboriginal tourism," he told National Indigenous Times.

"What I'd also really like to see is Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism attractions and accommodation, not just tours.

"Things like resorts and anything that's going to bring in the tourists, but that also ensures the economic opportunities that come with tourism are shared with local communities.

"There's significant opportunity – particularly from the international market – for Aboriginal tourism experiences."

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti could not confirm if the WA government had considered WAITOC's funding proposal or what investment it would make in Aboriginal tourism.

"The government is currently in caretaker period ahead of the election, so we can't provide commentary unfortunately," a spokesperson for the minister said.

The WA Government did however recently announce a $30 million election commitment to redevelop Dorrien Gardens and the WA Italian Club in North Perth, which Mr Taylor said exemplified significant investment in culture and community was crucial and culturally important.

"This is a monumental commitment to one of the oldest migrant communities in Western Australia," the state government said.

"The Italian community will now have a place of cultural significance, where their enormous sacrifice and contribution to this fine state of WA can now be honoured."

Mr Taylor said the principals behind the WA government's $30m investment also applied to the state's booming Aboriginal tourism industry.

"The $30m investment demonstrated the value of supporting heritage and community-driven projects," Mr Taylor said.

"Aboriginal tourism is growing at a faster rate than most other tourism sectors, both in WA and across Australia."

Ms Saffioti's office directed National Indigenous Times to a Tourism WA web page highlighting the state government's awareness of growing demand for Aboriginal tourism and the economic and employment benefits it brings.

"Aboriginal tourism is the beating heart of the WA tourism industry," the government website said.

"WA's rich, diverse and authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences give us a unique point of difference over other holiday destinations.

"We are committed to growing Aboriginal tourism in WA and becoming the premier destination for authentic Aboriginal tourism."

Guiding this was the government's Aboriginal tourism action plan Jina, which ends in 2025 and included the $20 million funding to help further develop the sector and boost awareness of cultural tourism experiences in WA.

WAITOC's proposal pointed to the extraordinary resilience of the sector during COVID-19, and the growth and interest thereafter from tourists here and abroad, as part of its $40m proposal.