Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism

Tourism Australia acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognises their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and traditions, as well as the warmth, humour and generosity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, are central to Australia’s history and form an integral part in how Tourism Australia tells the nation’s story.

Tourism Australia's Reconciliation Action Plan

Tourism Australia fourth Reconciliation Action Plan outlines Tourism Australia’s vision for Reconciliation as one where the cultures and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities are embraced as central to Australia’s identity; and that all Australians feel proud of connecting with 60,000 years of storytelling, resilience and innovation.

The below video provides industry with an understanding of the Reconciliation Action Plan program. Highlighting:

• the different RAP levels
• key steps
• what is important for businesses to consider
• the value and impact a RAP can bring

Promoting Indigenous tourism experiences

In addition to the Reconciliation Action Plan, Tourism Australia continues to promote Indigenous tourism experiences through the Discover Aboriginal Experiences marketing collective. Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of over 185 quality and authentic Aboriginal guided tourism offerings. This collective is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia Program that packages and promotes Australia’s outstanding tourism products. In 2019, 1.4 million international visitors (17 per cent) participated in an Indigenous tourism experience while visiting Australia, a six per cent year-on-year increase since 2010. For domestic travellers, the figure was one million, an increase of 13 per cent each year since 2013.