Budding Indigenous entrepreneurs across the Northern Territory have shared their ideas to create sustainable tourism operations after taking a specialist accelerator program designed to prepare them to launch their own businesses.
Eight participants of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Tourism Accelerator program met on Larrakia Country this week to present at the showcase, delivered by Indigenous Business Australia and the NT Government.
Southern Arrernte woman Stella de Cos, IBA's community and customer experience director, said the transformative six-month journey would have a lasting effect on program participants.
"This has empowered our Aboriginal entrepreneurs and allowed them to develop their business ideas and skills," she said.
The specialist business course is designed to help participants develop and grow strong, sustainable tourism businesses and promote genuine Aboriginal cultural experiences in the sector.
"We're immensely proud of the great strides participants made in the development of their businesses or business ideas," Ms de Cos said.
"They have each brought their deep cultural responsibility and connection, and infused them into their business models."
The group of eight immersed themselves in a wealth of knowledge and experiences over the six months, facilitated by a curated team of business experts and guests.
Participants met with Queensland Aboriginal tourism operators, exploring visitor experiences in both North Queensland (Cairns and Mossman) and Southeast Queensland (Minjerribah Island), all vibrant regions that proved fertile ground for learning, connection and inspiration.
Between in-person educational sessions, they also received intensive one-on-one business coaching to help equip them with the relevant tools and strategies to propel their ventures, and would benefit from ongoing coaching over the next three months to maximise the program's impact and help support sustained business growth.
Yanyuwa Garrwa woman Zoe Fitzpatrick wants to launch a tourism business with her family on country in Borroloola and hoped the accelerator course would eventually generate inter-generational wealth "so our people and culture don't just survive, but thrive".
"Our business model isn't just about establishing a tourism enterprise on country, it is also about educating Australia's future leaders and improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians," she said.
"We know people want to learn from us and we can see potential to help educate our future teachers, lawyers and decision makers on Aboriginal culture, while showcasing our breathtaking Northern Territory."
Fellow participant Arian Pearson, from Bawaka Yolngu Fishing Tours, said she gained invaluable insights into business planning and development.
"I learned my business strategies, honed my operational plans and built a solid foundation for offering authentic fishing experiences in the rich cultural landscape of Bawaka," he said.
"This not only enhanced my business knowledge but also my commitment to my family and cultural values, and has given me hope for my future career in fishing and tourism.
"I now have the tools to turn my vision into reality … and the confidence to one day own and operate my own fishing-guided business."
NT Tourism and Hospitality minister Joel Bowden said IBA had an excellent track record delivering successful accelerator programs and this particular one would further promote the Aboriginal tourism industry and create Indigenous jobs.
"We look forward to seeing new and innovative business ideas from the program in the Territory," he said.