Indigenous Sustainable Tourism
THE NEED
Australia’s Kimberley Coast has become a global tourism hot-spot. The purpose of this project was to develop practical processes to better involve Traditional Owners of the region in the tourism industry. Many local Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley area face high levels of poverty, are disconnected from the tourism industry, and receive few, if any, benefits from the industry. As tourism is one of the fastest developing industries within the Kimberley region, it has the potential to provide both significant advantages and disadvantages to the sustainability of the ecosystems. In order to allow for meaningful Aboriginal participation in the tourism industry, a significant investment in capacity was needed.
THE OBJECTIVE
Through Lead Sponsors AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys, the Conservation Foundation is working with with WWF-Australia and the Kimberley Land Council to build capacity and develop indigenous owned and managed enterprises in the Kimberley region while ensuring protection of the environment. The objective is to foster Indigenous participation in Kimberley tourism and thereby contribute to long-term goals for sustainable tourism that respects the cultural and natural assets of the region.
THE IMPACT
The project has several impressive milestones, with the goal to develop Indigenous sustainable tourism, to protect the natural environment and cultural heritage. The Kimberley Coastal Tourism Project has developed a one-hour presentation at Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, a resort on the Dampier Peninsula owned by the Bardi Jawi people. This personal interaction with visitors showcasing the Bardi Jawi seafaring culture and history also explains their current roles as land managers, looking after country. A full - day cultural awareness experience has also been developed involving Bardi Jawi rangers and cultural elders to engage tourism operators in activities on country. The Bardi Jawi model has become an example for other Aboriginal groups wishing to develop their own cultural awareness product through the project.
Other milestones include capacity building and knowledge of the tourism industry. This has been done through Indigenous tourism knowledge exchanges and tourism training. Building these skills assist Aboriginal groups to better manage the existing tourism on their country and develop their own ideas towards economic involvement in the industry.” The Kimberley Coastal Tourism Project is providing ongoing assistance to the Bardi Jawi rangers to review and improve the group’s cultural awareness products, as well as to investigate ways to add value to their product through producing brochures and other learning tools.
In recognition for their work, the Bardi Jawi ranger visitor program won the 2011 Western Australia Coastal Award for Excellence in recognition of an exceptional contribution to protecting the environment.
Project Details
- The Kimberley Coast is located in the northernmost section of Western Australia
- The Kimberley is an area about twice the size of England
- Project seeks to develop the areas capacity for sustainable tourism development
- Participants, particularly the Bardi Jawi, have become a model for other communities in the area
- The Bardi Jawi ranger visitor program won the 2011 Western Australia Coastal Award for Excellence in recognition of an exceptional contribution to protecting the environment
- Click here to visit the WF Australia website for a video detailing the project
Project Partners
AAT Kings
For over 90 years AAT Kings has showcased the natural beauty and splendour of Australia and New Zealand. AAT Kings offer a comprehensive range of touring styles throughout Australia and New Zealand including premium and low cost escorted tours, short breaks, small group tours, camping adventures, day tours and a three-day culture camp program. Itineraries range in length from half-day city sightseeing tours to extended 28-day countrywide tours.
Inspiring Journeys
Inspiring Journeys is a leading tour operator in Australia that specialises in experiential touring. Travel experiences focus on discovery, exploration, learning by doing and relaxation and cover the areas of the Kimberley, the top end, red centre, Tasmania, Noosa and Fraser & Kangaroo Islands. Inspiring journeys offer more choice and are less structured to allow for greater flexibility. They’ve also been designed to facilitate you trying something new and taking the path less travelled, with enriching experiences, activies and interactions.
Kimberley Land Council
The Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (KLC) is an association of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley region of Australia. Established in 1978 by Aboriginal people to work for the protection of traditional land and waters, the KLC is charged with the protection and enhancement of the customs, laws and traditions of Kimberley Traditional Owners.
WWF-Australia
In Australia, WWF works to conserve the nation's biodiversity, providing practical solutions to our greatest environmental threats. Through on the ground work with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, WWF takes a science-based approach to conservation. Committed to real, measurable outcomes for the environment, WWF seeks results that directly benefit Australian species and natural resources like water, land and the marine environment.