SPRING | 2021 | ISSUE 7
IN FOCUS: THE PATH AHEAD FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM IN TASMANIA
Photo credit: Rob Burnett
T
gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism award category at the recent Tasmanian Tourism Awards – an achievement well over a decade in the making.
and larapuna (Bay of Fires) has been in operation since January 2018, attracting around 240 people a year – an ideal number for a delicate environment.
But while there is a growing, genuine support for growth in the sector, those at the heart of established enterprises say the process can’t and won’t be rushed.
“I don’t think we thought we would be as excited as we were to have the recognition that Aboriginal people deserve and stand up amongst the best in the state – we were taken aback by how emotional we were,” reflects wukalina Walk General Manager Gill Parssey.
It employs a 20-strong team of Aboriginal employees, with Gill the only non-Aboriginal person working in the business.
The much-celebrated wukalina Walk was awarded
The walk through wukalina (Mt William National Park)
he power of “walking on country” is transforming the lives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Tasmanians as the state embraces the concept and drives demand for more Aboriginal tourism ventures.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to make sure staff are Aboriginal people and they are the ones interacting with guests and telling their stories,” Gill said. 3
