Post on 22-Jan-2018
Aboriginal knowledge for the business of tourism
Dr. Damien Jacobsen
Principal Research LeaderAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product ProjectCooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic ParticipationSouthern Cross University, NSW
Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference, 2016
Culture is good for tourism!
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Culture – not so good for the business of tourism???
How is this portrayed in the literature?
•Enterprises fragile because of various factors, including ‘culture’•Tension between cultural preservation and commercialism•Cultural values inconsistent with capitalism•Running a business implies behavioural change •Business/entrepreneurial skills imported (from government, consultants etc.)•Cultural ways inconsistent with expectations of employment/service delivery•Disadvantage equates to skill/knowledge deficit
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Changing the story: culture for stronger business
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Case in point: Goombaragin Eco-retreat
Culture way Business practice Impact Contribution
Goombaragin = meeting place
• Guests experience at their pace (no tours or presentations)
• Product attributes: relaxation, nature
• Reconciliation
• Product development
• Target marketing
Responsible for visitors on
country• Personalised service
• Conversion • Positive guest
relations
• Service delivery & quality
Respect sacred sites • Guest orientation • Guests follow
protocol• Maintain cultural
integrity
Changing the story: culture for stronger business
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Case in point: Goombaragin Eco-retreat
Culture way Business practice Impact Contribution
Care for country
• Implement eco-tourism principles
• Renewable resources
• Low impact tourism
• Self-sufficient• Sustainable
landscape use• Market appeal
Look after each other
• Member of Aboriginal tourism cluster
• Strong business network & reciprocity
• Value for guests
• Contribute to business model
• Shared knowledge, skills & resources
Changing the story: generate new knowledge
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles of enterprise clustering
Improving research for Aboriginal tourism
• Generate body of Aboriginal knowledge for the business of tourism• Enable cultural ways of learning• Bridge divide between business and research• Researchers must understand the diversity of cultural ways and
knowledge• Empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as drivers of
Aboriginal tourism• Unlock wealth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business expertise • Revise Western concepts according to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander worldviews• Focus on capacity/capabilities rather than deficits• Implement emancipative research approaches• We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers!
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Thank you!Special thanks to: Goombaragin Eco-retreat; Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures; Oongkalkada Wilderness Camp;
Darngku Heritage Cruises; Maaramaka Tours; Guurbi Tours; Kelly’s Ranch; Iga Warta; Injalak Arts and Crafts; and, Kimberley Dreamtime Adventure Tours