$6M for First Nations tourism businesses

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting diverse and unique experiences for both domestic and international visitors, providing $6 million in grants to more than 100 First Nations tourism businesses and community organisations across the country.

With international visitor numbers rising post-pandemic, it's a great time to invest in the sector and ensure First Nations tourism operators are well placed to benefit from the ongoing recovery of Australia's tourism industry.

First Nations cultural tourism businesses offer unique, immersive experiences which are increasingly in demand from visitors. This funding will enable First Nation businesses to meet this interest.

Some of the successful grant recipients include:

• Brewarrina Aboriginal Corporation, NSW to build an extension to the current museum tourism services and improve hospitality services, including accommodation.
• Watjan Tours, Daly River, NT to purchase a multipurpose excavator to maintain key roads and campsites after the wet season, offering travellers greater access.
• Wijingarra Tours, North-West Kimberley, WA is proceeding with the installation of a solar power generator, allowing staff to remain on-site during the peak tourism season.
• Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation of Laura, Cape York, QLD to build a new arts and craft gallery, renovate its studio and purchase a commercial coffee machine.
• Something Wild Australia, Adelaide, SA to begin Indigenous food and beverage masterclasses at the Adelaide Central Market.
• Judumul Aboriginal Corporation, Cooglardie, WA, to support the development of a showcase of Coolgardie both within a gallery environment and with guided tours lead by local Elders.
• Ayeye Atyenhe Art, Alice Springs, NT to purchase a vehicle, purchase materials for their workshops and develop a marketing campaign.
• Castlereagh Connect, Coonabarabran, NSW, offers unique dining experiences and events on-Country. The funding will go towards a new vehicle with mobile catering facilities.

Grants of up to $50,000 were available for First Nations owned tourism operators and up to $100,000 for First Nations community organisations.

The First Nations tourism grants contribute to the Australian Government's delivery of

THRIVE 2030: the national strategy for Australia's visitor economy recovery and return to sustainable growth.

THRIVE 2030 aims to diversify tourism experiences and increase job opportunities, skill development and economic participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:

“The Albanese Government is pleased to support Indigenous tourism businesses.

“Supporting First Nations tourism operators presents an opportunity to highlight Australia's unique visitor experience and celebrate the world's oldest living continuous cultures.

“Right across Australia, there are so many opportunities to experience First Nations culture with hundreds of fantastic Indigenous tourism enterprises offering unique ways to see our country, through the lens of Indigenous people.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism Don Farrell:

“These tourism grants provide an excellent opportunity to expand the supply of authentic cultural experiences, provided by First Nations businesses and community organisations.”

“Visitors, both domestic and international, are increasingly looking for unique, rich and immersive experiences, and this funding will ensure our First Nations businesses can grow their high-quality offerings.”

“First Nations tourism experiences are an incredibly important part of the Australian tourism industry, sharing the oldest living culture with visitors from across the world.”