Indigenous tourism around the world is set to Inject US$67 billion into Global Economy by 2034 according to a report launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) at its Global Summit in Perth.
Indigenous tourism is rapidly emerging as a key economic driver; it creates jobs and economic value in remote areas, promotes and protects Indigenous people's cultures, languages and lands, and gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience and learn about Indigenous history and tradition.
Mabu Bura managing director Johani Mamid attributes the success of his Broome-based business to the support he received from WAITOC when he began his business in 2019.
"WAITOC has a program for new tourism businesses that helped me understand how to run a tourism business," Mr Mamid said.
"Then I did a few other programs which helped us get trade ready, export ready, and learning how to engage with other companies overseas learning how to sell our tour overseas, to make those sales."
On the other side of the world in Canada, the Indigenous tourism sector supports nearly 2,000 businesses, and over 39,000 jobs, contributing CA$1.7 billion to the economy in 2017.
Similarly, in Panama's Guna Yala region, tourism is the primary economic driver, sustaining the Guna people and their culture while creating a self-sufficient economy.
This economic boom is fueled by increasing demand for authentic cultural experiences, in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, amongst others.
In Australia, more than 1.4 million international visitors engaged in Indigenous tourism experiences in 2019, marking a six per cent year-on-year growth since 2010.
In Western Australia, interest and participation in Aboriginal tourism experiences continues grow with the highest results recorded to date this year.
According to Visitor Experiences and Expectations Research (VEER), 87 per cent of visitors to WA are interested in and more than a third participated in Aboriginal tourism in 2023-24.
In 2021-22, Indigenous tourism added $63.8 million to the Gross State Product in Western Australia.
Speaking at the global tourism body's 24th Global Summit, WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpso said Indigenous tourism is more than showcasing rich cultural traditions.
"This report demonstrates the immense potential of Indigenous tourism to drive economic growth, particularly in remote regions, while preserving invaluable cultural heritage," Ms Simpson said.
"As global demand for authentic experiences continues to rise, it is crucial that we support Indigenous businesses and ensure they have access to the resources and funding needed to thrive."
The report, Supporting Global Indigenous Tourism, shows how Indigenous tourism also plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, languages, and traditional practices.
The Sámi people of Northern Europe, for example, have developed certification marks such as "Sámi Duodji" to protect their rich traditions, while Peru's innovative Kipi robot helps preserve endangered languages like Kukama, spoken by just 2,000 people.
The report shows that incorporating these elements such as these into tourism, Indigenous communities can safeguard their cultural identities.
Indigenous tourism is also a sustainable career path, exemplified by Canada's Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), which empowers communities to control of their futures through tourism.
Meanwhile, countries like Australia and the USA are increasingly incorporating Indigenous experiences into national tourism marketing, ensuring authentic representation.
Tourism Australia launched a central portal for visitors seeking Indigenous tourism experiences, the Discover Aboriginal Experiences website, last year.