The NT Aboriginal Tourism Business Accelerator Program, delivered by the NT Government and Indigenous Business Australia, is open for Aboriginal Territorians and Northern Territory-based majority-owned Aboriginal businesses until Friday, 5 December.
The Accelerator assist participants to gain an understanding and the skills to develop or grow an Aboriginal tourism business.
Returning for a third year, the program provides business coaching, networking with industry and tourism operators and access to attend a tourism industry forum. In addition to face to face sessions focused on business and product development, participants will attend Aboriginal tourism experience familiarisation.
Indigenous Business Australia CEO David Knights said the IBA is "proud to continue supporting Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs to turn their tourism aspirations into thriving enterprises".
"By providing tailored coaching, industry connections, and practical tools, this program strengthens the Territory's tourism sector and celebrates the depth and diversity of Aboriginal culture through authentic experiences," he said.
Up to 15 participants from across the Territory will be accepted into the nine-month program, with participants selected through an application and panel assessment.
The program will focus on developing participants' business models, financial sustainability, marketing strategies, and presentation skills to deliver a tourism product pitch to tourism industry representatives.
Each participant receives business coaching, reinforcing education to support increased tourism and business understanding and knowledge including implementation of a practical business development action plan.
Previous participants have included tourism and hospitality business owners, start-up tourism businesses and people looking to grow their product offerings.
Department of Tourism and Hospitality CEO, Suzana Bishop said the NT Aboriginal Tourism Business Accelerator Program provides an opportunity for Aboriginal Territorians to develop a tourism business or product as well as connect with industry.
"Supporting this program builds on the Territory's Aboriginal tourism offerings, which creates more opportunities to showcase the NT's rich and vibrant Aboriginal culture," she said.
The Accelerator program is supported by the Australian Government's Strategic Indigenous Tourism Project funding program (SITP) to foster participation in the tourism industry while contributing to local economic growth.
More information and application documents are available online at iba.gov.au.
