Qld boosts Indigenous focus

ThE Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has announced the creation of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council (QFNTC), which will be charged with increasing the development of Indigenous tourism experiences in the state.

After extensive consultations between QTIC, various government bodies, and

First Nations communities across Queensland, the new independent peak body will officially go live from next month, and serve as a collective voice and advocate for indigenous tourism issues in the state.

While the establishment of the QFNTC has been facilitated by QTIC, the new not-for-profit association will exist as an independent and separate entity to QTIC.

“The formation of Queensland’s very own First Nations tourism council is an integral step in the advancement of Indigenous tourism within our state,” QTIC said this morning.

“To meet growing consumer demand for cultural experiences and facilitate the expansion of our First Nations visitor economy, it is critical that indigenous tourism have its own voice by which to advocate.”

The concept of forming such a body was first raised in 2017 at QTIC’s First Nations tourism event Destination IQ, where event participants called for the development of an Indigenous tourism strategy.

From this discussion, the Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan 2020-2025 was produced, with the establishment of an independent peak body for Indigenous tourism forming one of the report’s integral pillars.

QTIC is inviting everyone within the industry to join QFNTC - learn more about membership hErE.