East Arnhem Tourism Hub

Bawaka cultural Experiences

Gay'wu Women's Cultural Experiences

Nyinyikay Dha Wuba

Rripangu Yidaki

Following the Winds (Macassan Tour)

The East Arnhem region has long been considered a place where Aboriginal cultural life maintains a strong connection to the land and traditional practices. The Garma Festival and inclusion on the SBS 'Going Bush' television series, has significantly raised the profile of this region as a potential destination. For a number of reasons, it is still difficult for many visitors to access this region. Lack of information about Indigenous tourism offerings, lack of well developed and marketed Aboriginal product, lack of coordination and lack of transport and accommodation infrastructure have hindered regional Indigenous tourism development. A business hub located in this region focussing on promising Indigenous tourism businesses would have a natural and strong connection to Aboriginal land management and Aboriginal arts programs. This hub would focus on developing skills in individuals that can be used in flexible ways across these sectors. Concerted development of a small number of quality indigenous tourism products is a high priority for this region.

Background

In the Northern Territory, there has been considerable interest in the development of small business activity across a range of industry sectors, including the range of support mechanisms required to assist small businesses and start-ups to survive and prosper.

The business hub model has been successfully developed in other jurisdictions to take advantage of economies of scale to provide a range of business services and 'back-room' support to a cohort of emerging and start-up businesses.

The provision of expertise and integrated services such as administration, marketing, training accounting, booking, licensing, insurance, transfers and client liaison can make the difference between a fledgling business succeeding or failing.

In the Northern Territory, many proponents do not have the skills or interest to take on these roles and/or the size or scale of their business proposal does not warrant the investment required to deliver these services at the level of competency and professionalism required. The Hub model allows such proponents to concentrate on the strengths they bring to their business idea with the security that competent and professional backing, advice and support is in place.

It is envisaged that these services will be provided on a fee-for-service basis by the Hub facility. However, it may be necessary to support some start-ups by permitting an initial moratorium or reduced fee structure while the business is being developed.

Functions of the Hub & Tourism NT

• be geared to aligning the enterprise development needs for tourism initiatives with current industry market knowledge;

• facilitate provision of highly targeted support services that are identified as necessary to advance the development of specific enterprise opportunities in the region;

• host skills development sessions for associated enterprises;

• host, broker or facilitate suitable training packages

• facilitate enterprise planning;

• coordinate and host activities from Australian and Northern Territory government funded mentoring and business development programs;

• broker support from industry and corporate partners;

• provide linkages to various forms of enterprise financing as they may be available;

• assist in facilitating dialogue between Aboriginal individuals and groups and industry interests as well as potential equity, knowledge or service partners;

• provide business centre facilities where services and 'real-life' skills development can be provided for essentials of running tourism and related enterprises including website and brochure development and production, accounting and financial services;

• promote cross-sectoral opportunities for tourism-related enterprise development particularly in conjunction with community ranger programs and Aboriginal arts organisations;

• develop flexible employment pools within regions with the capability for work placements across tourism, land management and Aboriginal arts sectors;

• facilitate regional Indigenous tourism product development through coordinating product offerings, itinerary development and liaison with marketing and distribution agents;

• enhance and extend existing front-end services being provided by NTTC Aboriginal Tourism Development Officer's and support staff from NTG agencies such as DBERD and AG agencies such as IBA, DEWR and ILC;

• provide support and professional development services to existing Indigenous tourism business; and

• Provide a place where back-of-house support services, such as accounting, financial advice, insurance issues, market opportunities can be delivered in an environment supported by corporate and philanthropic sponsors.

• Foster, encourage and support increasing participation in tourism and related enterprise activity

Lead Organisation/Agency

Type of Support Needed

Come, visit East Arnhem Land and explore the land with the world's oldest continuous culture

Type of Mentoring Needed

Type of Investment Needed

Subject(s)

Region(s)

Most Recently Presented At

First Presented At

For further information

Contact	:	Adrienne Willing
Phone	:	08-8987-0429
Mobile	:	0447 087 091
Fax	:	08 8987 0535
Email	:	tourismhub@bigpond.com
WWW	:	http://www.yolngutourism.com