Planeta Forum

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Announcements from Aboriginal Tourism Australia
http://www.aboriginaltourism.com.au

[ATA]

Kakadu tour operator Mandy Muir was elected to the board of Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA) at the recent Annual General Meeting held in Cairns. Mandy owns and operates one of Kakadu’s newest Aboriginal cultural experiences, Murdudjurl. Mandy joins another ‘Top End’ Board member Rick Murray formerly of Odyssey Tours and Safaris, and in the Kimberley region, Neil Gower a Yawuru man. Neil is the CEO of Mamabulanjun Aboriginal Corporation in Broome which operates Mumabulunjan Aboriginal Tours and Transfers. Other Board members are Hank Horton from the Trawoolway, Pakana people of Tasmania. Hank operates Jahadi Indigenous Experiences, with spirit. Rick Callaghan is a descendant of the Potaruwutj people of South Australia. Rick spent nearly 20 years working for the South Australian Government before commencing a private sector business career as Principal Director of Yaran Business Services. Lois Peeler is a Yorta Yorta woman. She serves on the Board of Worawa Aboriginal College and on the Board of Parks Victoria.

[ATA]

The 2007 Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo is a spectacular celebration of Australia’s Indigenous cultures, showcasing the enriching, unique and exciting diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism operators from across the country. Held at the iconic Sydney Opera House that is situated on the traditional land of the Eora people, the Corroboree begins with acknowledgement of Indigenous protocols through a Call to Ceremony, a traditional smoking ceremony and observance of the "Welcome to Country" protocol to which the public is invited. This one-day event features vibrant cultural activity, including art exhibitions, didgeridoo demonstrations and workshops, traditional and contemporary dance and music performances, children’s activities plus a Sydney Harbour cruise from an Indigenous perspective.

As Australia’s Aboriginal society has the longest recorded and continuous cultural history in the world (more than 60,000 years), it has continued to evolve to a point where the first Australians now combine ancient traditions, beliefs and cultural practices with a contemporary Australian lifestyle. The range of Indigenous experiences combined with striking geographic locations provides visitors with a new perspective and ultimately a deeper appreciation of the Australian landscape and culture.

Direct interaction with Indigenous tourism operators at the Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo will also provide the opportunity to market to travel industry professionals and assist consumers who are seeking travel and holiday options that offer authentic, quality and awe-inspiring cultural experiences.

[ATA]

Since launching in 2002, the increasingly successful ATA Business Development Symposium continues to provide Indigenous tourism operators with practical information and skills to strengthen and improve their business operations, achieve long-term business sustainability and meet international travel industry standards. An annual event, the 2007 ATA Business Development Symposium for Indigenous Tourism Operators will be conducted in Sydney, from Tuesday 6 February to Friday 8 February. This will culminate in the 2007 Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo, to be held at the Sydney Opera House on Friday 9 February. Aligned with the Respecting Our Culture Tourism Certification Program (ROC), this residential conference includes workshops and discussion groups that enable participants to further develop or complete their ROC Certification application, as well as provide vital networking opportunities. The Symposium allows businesses and/or tour operators at various stages of development to receive credit towards a tourism qualification through the William Angliss Institute of TAFE. Presented by guest speakers, topics of interest include Risk Management, Customer Service, Operational Management, Tour Preparation Skills, Industry Relations, Health and Safety, Marketing and Pricing. Highly acclaimed Planeta.com website founder and editor, Ron Mader will be a keynote speaker at the 2007 ATA Business Development Symposium.

[ATA]

The Sydney Opera House will come alive on Friday 9 February for the second major Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo. Celebrating Australia’s Indigenous cultures on the traditional land of the Eora people, Corroboree showcases the dynamic, unique and enriching diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism operators from across the country. An initiative of Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA), this one-day cultural extravaganza is an opportunity for travel industry professionals and consumers to explore the range of awe-inspiring, accessible and authentic cultural holiday and travel experiences that are available. “Aboriginal people and culture have become both icons of tourism promotion for Australia and focal points of interest for domestic and international tourists,” said Aboriginal Tourism Australia Chairperson Lois Peeler. “The Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo provides the opportunity to showcase the rich, cultural diversity of Indigenous Australia and the depth and breadth of Indigenous cultural tourism services.”

[ATA]

Hosted by the respected Hogarth Galleries, the Specialist Indigenous Community Art Exhibition officially opens in the Utzon Room at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House at 5.00pm on Thursday, February 8. The official opening will include a performance of traditional Aboriginal dance by the Nunukal Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers and contemporary dance by the Bawai Dance Company. The Baiwa Dance Company performance is renowned for its fusion of contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance that utilises the creative use of vocal harmony, rhythm and traditional stories.
This rare showing will capture the essence of Indigenous culture and is further testament to the worldwide acclaim and recognition that Australian Aboriginal art is noted for.
The Specialist Indigenous Community Art Exhibition will provide an opportunity to meet with a guest artist and be captivated by the stories behind the art. Floor Talks will be held throughout the day. As many of the Indigenous tourism operators participating in the 2007 Corroboree Indigenous Tourism Expo have a rich arts component, the exhibition demonstrates how these individuals integrate art and its significance, as part of their operations.
It is through their artistic expression and operations that they are able to share their passion for Australia’s history, landscape and experiences.

[ATA]

At the recent Global Ecotourism Conference hosted by The International Ecotourism Society in Oslo, Aboriginal Tourism Australia Chairperson Lois Peeler delivered a presentation on the Respecting Our Culture (ROC)Indigenous Certification Program. Ms. Peeler reinforced that the fundamental concept of the ROC Program is the Indigenous connection to the land and cultural heritage issues. “ROC is more than a certification program. It encompasses and acknowledges elements of authenticity, cultural integrity, capacity building and community management of Indigenous cultural heritage,” said Ms. Peeler. According to Ms. Peeler, the ROC Program and its associated activities address the obvious gap in the ability of Indigenous businesses, individuals and communities to access information and practical tools to assist them with tourism industry development, whether at the initial start up or for the professional development of existing operations.

[ATA]

Globally, Indigenous cultural heritage is of perpetual significance, creating and maintaining links with the people and the land. The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) Indigenous Certification Program is the first certification program in the world to address these Indigenous cultural heritage protocols in association with tourism businesses, and is proving to be an important role model for sustainable Indigenous tourism worldwide.

An initiative of Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA), this vital and strategic program assists the development of authentic cultural tourism experiences that primarily protect the integrity of Indigenous cultures while providing broad-based, sustainable tourism development opportunities for Indigenous communities.

http://www.rocprogram.com

http://www.aboriginaltourism.com.au/tourism.asp?data=010C06024D4C4F49605A424B5E425D12644B58564453474948

[ATA]

Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA) Chair Lois Peeler recently visited remote island communities of the Torres Strait in Australia's far noth. As the national association of Australian Indigenous tourism operators,
ATA incorporates Indigenous businesses in the Torres Strait Islands as well as those throughout Australia. The Torres Strait, its pristine seas, tropical islands and fascinating culture is rapidly becoming a new and exciting destination for Australian tourism. The unique Indigenous cultures of the Torres Strait, remarkable and distinct from mainland Aboriginal Australia, are in themselves part of the great attraction that is the Torres Strait. The increasing appeal for nature-based and cultural tourism is, at least in part, generated by the geographic remoteness of the Torres Strait that has preserved the pristine environment and unique cultures. The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) Program specifically addresses challenges to cultural heritage, environment, and sustainable business practices by adhering to its three core principles of Observing Cultural Protocols, Caring for Country (embracing the spiritual and physical related aspects with holistic outlook) and Business Management.

[ATA]

We live in difficult times for small industry organisations and it is very difficult for such organisations to survive. Changes happen all the time whether they are in economic or political climate, government policies or the particular needs of an industry. Aboriginal Tourism Australia has weathered so many of these changes over the years and managed to achieve a great deal from such a small base. Highlights among these achievements include:

• Coordinating a successful Pilot Series of Stepping Stones for
Tourism in remote Aboriginal communities interested in tourism as
an economic development opportunity
• Running five annual Business Development Symposia around the
country to provide accredited training and professional
development for Indigenous operators
• Developing and operating the highly regarded Respecting Our
Culture (ROC) Indigenous Certification Program in all States &
Territories
• Production and global distribution of a number of high quality
member product brochures, including an insert in the Australian
Lonely Planet Guide, NZ on a Shoestring, Incredible Journeys,
Welcome to Country, Ochre Dreaming, Three R's: Relationship,
Responsibility & Respect
• Development of the Financial Management Guide for Indigenous
Tourism Businesses

Aboriginal Tourism Australia provides a central point of contact for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism with a membership that spans the country. However in recent times it has become increasingly difficult to survive and we have done so through the tireless work of our staff and a number of other people in voluntary roles along with the financial assistance of a few organisations, both corporate and government, who have shared our vision.

Organisations and people come and go, they change their priorities and they refocus their policies. Roles which have been undertaken by one organisation become the role of another. Many of these changes have affected our small organisation and we have worked hard to seek a viable way forward. The Board of Directors have discussed the future of the organisation at length over the past few months, even drawing on the (pro-bono) advice of experts , but regretfully we have arrived at just one conclusion – that we are unable to see a sustainable future for Aboriginal Tourism Australia. Consequently the Board of Directors has resolved that Aboriginal Tourism Australia Ltd will cease trading at the end of July 2008.

We are keenly aware of the need to ensure that our ROC Accredited Businesses continue to enjoy the many benefits of being an Australian Accredited Tourism Business. We are currently negotiating with other Program Managers, such as Ecotourism Australia, who also is licensed by Tourism Accreditation Australia Ltd to enable the transfer of our ROC Accredited Businesses to their program.

We take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the years and to recognise and thank our staff, past and present, for their efforts. Without all of you the many achievements of Aboriginal Tourism Australia would not have been possible.