In December 2016, CRC-REP Principal Research Leader for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product project presented to the Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference in Perth.

1. Aboriginal knowledge for the business of tourism
Dr. Damien Jacobsen
Principal Research Leader
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product Project
Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation
Southern Cross University, NSW
Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference, 2016

2. Culture is good for tourism!
2

3. 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
3

4. Changing the story: culture for stronger business
4
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

5. Changing the story: culture for stronger business
5
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

6. Changing the story: generate new knowledge
6
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles of
enterprise clustering

7. 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!
7

8. 8
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