Cultural program to roll into 2021

THE state government will extend its Year of Indigenous Tourism promotion into next year after the COVID crisis put plans for this year on hold.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s tourism industry was experiencing a difficult year.

“It’s common sense now to extend the Year of Indigenous Tourism through into 2021, so we can further boost the profile of Indigenous experiences in Queensland as our state recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak,” she said.

“Extending this statewide promotion will play a vital role in our economic recovery as today’s release of an extensive study of this growing sector shows.”

Earlier this year the state government announced a $10m fund as part of the Year of Indigenous Tourism to help further develop the sector.

The bulk of the funding was not spent as promotions and programs were placed on hold while the government dealt with the outbreak.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said a new report, released by Tourism and Events Queensland, showed more than 420,000 visitors took part in an Indigenous tourism activity every year.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences are a fast-growing part of Queensland’s tourism industry, with this study showing the number of visitors participating in Indigenous tourism activities is growing at an average of 11.2 per cent per year,” she said.

“From Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and the renowned Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park north of Cairns, to the incredible natural setting of Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and a host of new experiences being developed with the Quandamooka people on Minjerribah, Queensland is the best place for tourists to discover Australia’s ancient culture.”