Tourism
Domestic and international tourists are increasingly seeking out Aboriginal cultural experiences when they plan their holidays in the Northern Territory.
The Central Land Council, through its tourism section and its tourism development officer, is helping prospective Aboriginal tourism enterprises research and plan their businesses, train traditional owners to work for and manage the enterprises and clear and protect sites where tourists might visit.
The McCormack family at their outstation, Thakaperte, near
Alice Springs.The McCormacks have undertaken tourism
training and now host overnight tourist visits
The CLC is a member of the Western Aranda Tourism Development Plan, which is helping focus tourism enterprises in the West MacDonnell Ranges region west of Alice Springs including the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct.
A funding agreement between the CLC and Tourism NT is assisting with the development of camp grounds and four wheel drive tours at Ipolera, Palm Paddock and Roddna in the same region.
The Tjuwanpa Rangers, which includes young men from communities and outstations in the Hermannsburg area, have carried out some of the landscaping, restoration and infrastructure works required at Ipolera and Palm Paddock.
A contract has been issued by the CLC for the development of a 12 week training package known as the Thakeperte Tourism Training Development Plan to help a family at the Thakeperte outstation.
The McCormacks are offering educational cultural tours for schools and groups. It’s intended the training will help them improve guiding skills, assist planning for upcoming events, improve understanding of the tourism industry and develop marketing strategies.
One of the benefits of the joint management of national parks in the Northern Territory by the Parks and Wildlife Service and traditional owners has been the economic opportunities for traditional owners of Rainbow Valley south of Alice Springs.
Traditional custodian Ricky Orr and Craig Cotterill from tour group Alice Wanderer will be running day trips to Rainbow Valley from April 2008.
Akanta is a campground on the Palmer River south of Boggy Hole south-west of Alice Springs.
The CLC is assisting with consultations for the placement of 300 signs showing directions to the campground from the Ernest Giles Road and from Hermannsburg through Finke Gorge National Park.
Meanwhile, a plan to open up tours to the Town Bore Campground at Haasts Bluff west of Alice Springs is continuing with assistance provided by the CLC in the preparation stages.
A memorandum of understanding between the CLC and Tourism NT has funded the tourism development officer’s position within the CLC and that’s helping to improve Aboriginal participation in the tourism industry by maximising job opportunities and economic growth for Aboriginal land owners.
Participation of traditional owners in the tourism industry is only expected to grow, with joint management of parks and the future sealing of the Mereenie Loop Road just two examples of future opportunties.
