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