Pact to boost Indigenous tourism in the Kimberley a step closer after Kununurra workshop

A new agreement is set to be signed between two of WA’s peak Aboriginal bodies, in a bid to boost Indigenous tourism across the Kimberley. The Kimberley Land Council and Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council committed to entering into a co-operation agreement, after two days of discussion at the Kimberley Indigenous Tourism Workshop held in Kununurra last week. The two-day event saw conversations from a range of Indigenous and non-Indigenous tour operators, with a push for collaboration and further inclusion of Aboriginal tour offerings in the East Kimberley to bring financial and cultural benefits to local communities and tour groups. It is the first time the KLC has been involved in such an event, after it was mandated by members to increase its focus on developing cultural business enterprises. Several ideas were raised at the workshop, including the potential for a mobile phone application to educate solo travellers as they cross Aboriginal land, interactive maps outlining Aboriginal country, an approval mechanism to promote businesses that are culturally respectful and inclusive of traditional owners, and a Kimberley passport system to link Aboriginal operators across the region and promote their tour offerings. WAITOC board member Rosanna Angus said the agreement was a positive step to getting some of the ideas raised off the ground. “I think to have an agreement, at least that way you can support the working relationships and the capacities between each organisation and how we can support those tour operators and people interested in doing business in the Kimberley,” Ms Angus said. “Getting KLC onboard is pretty exciting because they have that capacity working with native title holders on traditional lands already. To support them to continue with business development is new, but an exciting space for economic development.” KLC chairman Anthony Watson said the timing was right for increased collaboration with WAITOC to assist progress in the tourism sector. “In the Indigenous community, it’s a great opportunity after COVID to actually bounce back and have a greater impact in the tourism sector,” he said. Mr Watson and Ms Angus will present an agreement proposal to their respective boards at upcoming board meetings.