Indigenous Cultural Tourism in Australia - Report Example

Title: Research paper on the advantages and disadvantages of Indigenous Cultural Tourism in Australia Name Institution Date of submission Indigenous cultural tourism Indigenous cultural tourism is being identified as a sector that provides a significant market value in Australian economy. It also renders considerable economic avenues particularly to the deserted communities in Australia. However, the current situations in the market environment like policies in the multinational economies subject indigenous cultural tourism sector in Australia to a difficult circumstances when it comes to achievement of sustainability. Therefore, a holistic approach in terms of examining the advantages and disadvantages of indigenous cultural tourism in Australia towards economy is a leading role in determining the ‘net worth’ of this sector in the economy. The study by Remote Focus Group (2008) found that Australian indigenous group are rapidly changing and this change has been contributed by various factors such as regional and international integration. As a result, the demographic change has significant implications for indigenous population since most of the individuals in this cohort has attached to the strategies of mainstreaming the economy. Therefore, this has increased the dependency of the economy on the cultural tourism (de la Barre, 2012). Unless the indigenous cultural sector is not well sustained, the Australian economy will remain to struggle (Annual Tourist Survey, NTTC, Darwin, 2002). Basically, tourism in most of the settings around the world is largely build from cultural and nature-based aspects. However, considering the case in Australia at the moment, the indigenous cultural tourism is relatively immature (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). Aim of the research The aim of this paper is to evaluate the possibilities for indigenous cultural tourism development in Australia and its contributions by focusing on advantages and disadvantages. This paper begins by describing the position of indigenous cultural tourism sector in Australia. The demand and supply of cultural tourism in Australia are observed. While acknowledging the advantages of indigenous cultural tourism sector in Australia, there are challenges associated with this such as over-optimism perception without ‘tangible’ actions. Therefore, the paper explores the challenges and problems associated with transformation of economy by expansion of cultural tourism. Australian Demography and Indigenous Occupancy Indigenous group in Australia occupies about 84% of Australian continent. However, this group hosts only 5% of Australian population (Remote Focus Group, 2012). The indigenous group is majorly composed of Aboriginals. For instance, in the survey conducted in June 2011, the indigenous population was estimated to have grown by 2.5% of the total Australian population. Majority of indigenous Australians live in regional and remote areas; 43% and 25% respectively (de la Barre, 2012). The study by Strickland-Munro and Moore (2013) shows that the changing demography in Australia has promoted county’s economic, social and environmental development. However, Australian government is being overstretched by the expectations of all sectors particularly in providing market policies which can be exhibited universally, cultural tourism inclusive. Unlike other nations of the world, Australia consider Indigenous Cultural Tourism as all tourism products controlled both by indigenous and non-indigenous and focuses on indigenous theme (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). These themes include cultural festivals, tours, heritage, art and crafts, dance and theatre performance. The modern demands in the tourism market have seen the expansion of tourism themes from cultural-based to service-based enterprises. As a result, de la Barre (2012) defined Indigenous cultural tourism as a form of participation engaged by indigenous people in tourism industry. Indigenous tourism At the moment, there seems to be more than 300 indigenous tourism practices in Australia (Strickland-Munro and Moore, 2013). Nevertheless, it is difficult to define the number since cultural tourism is a fragility sector (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). From the survey conducted in 2010, it was found that about 52% of the cultural tourism themes were found in very remote area. This hardened the accessibility to the places where these cultural themes are found. Therefore, the state government had to allocate much on infrastructure in order to enhance ease movement of individuals. For example, the Aboriginals in the northern region of Australia looked abandoned since the region was not adequately served with good transport and communication networks. Several attempts have been put in place to facilitate the development of Indigenous cultural tourism in Australia. For example, in 2004, Australian Government endorsed the Tourism White Paper as a marketing body which had the responsibility to manage cultural tourism aspects within the northern region. The northern region comprised of Aboriginals cultural themes such as arts and crafts, heritage and dances (remoteFOCUS, 2008). Development of Indigenous Cultural Tourism in Australia Until 1960, Australian Indigenous cultural tourism consisted of just production of boomerangs and didgeridoos. It was after 1960 when the diversification of ‘cultural products was embraced thus bring in the aspects of dancing heritage and natural lifestyle (Annual Tourist Survey, NTTC, Darwin, 2002). In 1980s, rapid increase of international tourism rise and in that case the Aboriginal culture and heritage was realized to be one of the sector that creates economic potential of Australia (Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Gurig National park plan of management, 2003).Australian government had to focus on Indigenous cultural tourism as a way of expanding employment and training programs for Australian people (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism industry strategy, 1998). In 1999, Royal Commission Report identified Indigenous Cultural Tourism as having the prospective to build up the economy of Australia. The report examined the following five areas in which this sector could benefit. These areas include: Employment in sectors related to cultural tourism, Development of business enterprises with owners from Aboriginal group. Basically on the service sector in tourism industry. Production and sale of artifacts, Aboriginal/indigenous cultural tourism, and Establishment of joint ventures. Up until now, indigenous Australians have gone through a range of advantages and disadvantages on employment and economic development (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). For example, the employment rate of Aboriginals is significantly higher thus pooling the economic development down when it comes to the productivity of households in Australia. Also, factors like lack or low level of education as well as vocational training may hinder Indigenous individuals from possessing business skills necessary for today’s environment (de la Barre, 2012). As a result of this, this has made majority of individuals from indigenous communities not to have the capacity to establish perhaps small businesses that would sustain Australian economy. The beginning of 21st century has seen Aboriginals and other regional communities in Australia being supported and through capacity building (Ruhanen, Whitford and McLennan, 2015). The study by Strickland-Munro and Moore (2013) showed that the government would reduce the cases of welfare dependency when cultural tourism is strengthened. The identity of aboriginals then became common both regionally and internationally. Economic benefits of Indigenous cultural tourism in Australia The economic benefits of Indigenous cultural tourism is perceived from sectors such as employment, production of artifacts, ritual culture, enterprises, sale of resources and provision of hunting (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). Employment The world obvious perspective is that creation of employment opportunities is an immediate benefit associated with tourism (remoteFOCUS, 2008). In Australia, indigenous groups have created jobs within the community, regionally and internationally. This has led to the betterment of income among various households in Australia. For example, Northern Aboriginal group in Australia has created job opportunities through tour guides along cultural heritage of Aboriginals, dances, ritual performance and arts and crafts production. Despite regional disparities, employment related to cultural tourism is very evident in Australia. The report created by Northern Territory Tourism Commission (2002) shows that by that time, about 56% of those employed indigenous Australians were from Northern Territory. Majority were employed as guides, dancers and maybe arts and crafts producers depending on their capability and talent (de la Barre, 2012). Uluru National Park provides a distinct example where majority of the employed in the park were Aborigines as guides. Also, there are several Maruku Arts and Crafts centers which are community-owned business of the Aboriginals (Abascal, Fluker and Jiang, 2014). It is evident that tourism related doings in Australia has accounted to a significant provision of job opportunities both regionally and internationally. The report by Northern Tourism Commission (2012) shows that household ages in Australia accounts to 26% of total cash income and 36% on employment income. Production of Artifacts Production of artifacts seems to be the core activity when it comes to cultural tourism. According to Ruhanen, Whitford and McLennan (2015), majority of tourists who go for tour normally interacts with indigenous culture and engage in buying arts products as an indication that they happened to visit a place. Apparently, the sector of arts industry in Australia has very high profile. For example, the income generated from selling art products is estimated to be about $200 million per year, and the half of this is estimated to be generated from tourism sale (National Tourism Report, 2012). Also, it is estimated that cultural tourism invent about $50 million every year in Northern Territory Cultural Arts galleries in ensuring that these are sold out in the market. This has led to flying of visitors directly to indigenous groups in Kimberley and Western and Arnhem Land in Australia (Strickland-Munro and Moore, 2013). Ritual culture Close to arts and crafts is the ritual culture where indigenous groups create camps to demonstrate cultural activities like hunting, fishing and perhaps some rituals (Strickland-Munro and Moore, 2013). This is one of the enterprise opportunity creating venture within the indigenous groups. However, the financial viability associated with this venture is not determined yet though there are many promotions being carried on in Australia. The physical outlook of this seems to have potential in generating income to the indigenous community. For instance, the wedding inclusion activities demonstrated sin the Northern Territory by Aboriginals incorporated the visitors from United States where they learnt some rituals and later engage in fishing competition with the local people. References Abascal, T., Fluker, M. and Jiang, M. (2014). Domestic demand for Indigenous tourism in Australia: understanding motivations, barriers, and implications for future development. Journal of Heritage Tourism, pp.1-20. Annual Tourist Survey, NTTC, Darwin. (2002). National Geographic Research and Exploration, 9(4), pp.390-400. Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Gurig National park plan of management. (2003). Darwin: CCNT. de la Barre, S. (2012). Festival places: revitalising rural Australia. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 10(4), pp.341-343. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism industry strategy. (1998). Canberra: The Office of National Tourism. remoteFOCUS. (2008). Revitalising Remote Australia, Desert Knowledge Australia, 5(18), pp.45-78. Ruhanen, L., Whitford, M. and McLennan, C. (2015). Indigenous tourism in Australia: Time for a reality check. Tourism Management, 48, pp.73-83. Strickland-Munro, J. and Moore, S. (2013). Indigenous involvement and benefits from tourism in protected areas: a study of Purnululu National Park and Warmun Community, Australia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(1), pp.26-41. Read More