Tourism Australia and Destination NSW have partnered with Welcome to Country partner to support the Aboriginal
tourism industry affected by COVID-19.
The new partnerships will help Welcome to Country, the premium marketplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences in Australia, to highlight Aboriginal experiences in New South Wales.
New South Wales’ Aboriginal tourism has been severely impacted by devastating bushfires and the COVID-19 global health pandemic. The ‘Experience Your Own Backyard’ campaign has been designed to encourage people to get out and experience their own state, support Aboriginal tourism and reinvigorate the local tourism economy. The campaign highlights the variety and abundance of Aboriginal tourism experiences available in New South Wales.
The campaign showcases 14 NSW Aboriginal tourism operators who offer more than 25 experiences across the state.
The featured experiences include: quad biking, bush tucker tours, paddle boarding, river cruises, bush walks, rock art tours and cultural immersions. The campaign will run from 21 October 2020 to 30 November 2020, promoting travel across the summer holiday period.
Aunty Margret of DreamTime Southern X in Sydney said of the campaign “As a Sydney based Aboriginal Tour Operator, and a key NSW stakeholder voice for Aboriginal Tourism we are happy to be finally included in the campaign showcasing Aboriginal tourism hospitality experiences, that remain in diverse landscapes and environments of NSW.” Clark Webb from Wajaama Yaam in Coffs Harbour believes “Aboriginal tourism is vitally important from a conservation, revitalisation and socio-economic perspective and we are really pleased to be a part of the campaign and the growing Aboriginal tourism community. We look forward to welcoming guests on our tours.”
Jason Eades, CEO of Welcome to Country said: “We are thrilled to partner with Destination NSW and Tourism Australia to promote experiences in NSW. The campaign highlights the diversity and richness of Aboriginal experiences in NSW. It also presents the perfect opportunity for every Australian to explore and discover their own back yard. You are guaranteed to see it in a different way!”
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “NSW is home to Australia’s largest Aboriginal population represented by more than 80 Groups each with a unique story to tell. With such cultural diversity on offer, NSW can offer visitors some of the most accessible and authentic experiences in the nation. Our Aboriginal tourism operators offer a unique perspective on the land, the history and the culture of our regions, so it’s fantastic to see these businesses feature as part of this new campaign with Welcome to Country.”
