This document outlines a proposed research project on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism. The project will examine challenges for new remote Indigenous tourism initiatives, appropriate tourism knowledge, remote tourist markets, and opportunities for tourism to foster reconciliation. Key areas of inquiry include profiling operators, the business lifecycle, operator learning, marketing, accessing remote tourists, and enabling legislative and training supports. Research methods will include action research, case studies, literature reviews, surveys and mixed methods. Partners will provide on-ground support and end-user perspectives. The project aims to develop new enterprise models, diversify Indigenous tourism involvement, understand remote markets and reconciliation roles, and identify training needs to support Indigenous remote tourism.

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Tourism Product Project
Dr Damien Jacobsen
Alice Woodhead
Janine Ashwell
Skye Akbar
Cherise Addinsall

2. Proposed Research Questions
• What are the challenges and processes involved for new small remote
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism initiatives?
• What tourism knowledge do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism
stakeholders define as appropriate to the needs of Remote Australia?
• What are the characteristics and opportunities of the remote tourist
markets available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote tourism
operators?
• What are the opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote
tourism to help bridge the gap and foster Reconciliation?
• What are the industry resource and governance needs for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander remote tourism?

3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product Project: Key Areas of Inquiry
1.1 Profiling 1.2 Life Cycle
3.1 Marketing - Loyalty
1. New Enterprise 2.1 Entrepreneurship
Development
3.2 Marketing -
Branding 2.2 Lessons from
International Comparators
3.3 Reconciliation through
Remote Tourism
2. Operators Learning
from each other
3. Effectively
2.3 Regional Perspectives
Accessing Remote
3.4 Market Analysis
Tourists
3.5 Niche Markets 2.4 Art and Tourism
4. Remote Tourism
Enabling Factors
4.1 Legislative 2.5 Diversification
Environment
4.2 Sector Governance 4.4 Appropriate Funding
4.3 Appropriate Training
Resources

4. Proposed Research Methods
Key Area of Inquiry Method
1.1 Profiling
1. New Enterprise Action Research
Development
1.2 Life Cycle
2.1 Entrepreneurship Case Study
2.2 Lessons from International Comparators Literature Review
2. Operators
Learning 2.3 Regional Perspectives Action Research
from Each Other
2.4 Art and Tourism TBA
2.5 Diversification Case Studies

5. Proposed Research Methods (continued)
Key Area of Inquiry Method
3.1 Marketing: Tourist Loyalty & Choice Mixed Method
Behaviour
3.2 Marketing: Branding TBA
3. Effectively
Accessing Remote 3.3 Reconciliation through Remote Tourism Case Studies
Tourists
3.4 Market Analysis Literature Review
3.5 Niche Markets Case Study
4.1 Legislative Environment TBA
4.2 Sector Governance Qualitative
4. Remote Tourism 4.3 Training Resource Needs
System Insights
Survey
4.4 Funding Needs
4.5 Sector Analysis

6. Proposed Project Outcomes
• New enterprise development models
• Diversified involvement in tourism
• Remote tourist insights & marketing strategies
• Strategies for the role of remote tourism in Reconciliation
• Appropriate training resources
• Renewed insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote tourism
needs and challenges

7. Project Partners (CRC-REP)
*Central Land Council *Australian Institute of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Studies
*Department of Regional
Australia
*Iga Warta
*RemoteBiz™ Pty Ltd
Western Australian Government *Kimberley Land Council
(Tourism Western
Australia, North West region)
*Northern Territory Government
(Tourism NT)
*Desert Knowledge Australia
*Centre for Appropriate
Technology
Southern Cross University
University of South Australia
Flinders University

8. Project Partners (end user)
Western Australian Indigenous Girloorloo Tours
Tourism Operators Council
(WAITOC)* Gangaar Tours
Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures Fitzroy River Aboriginal Tourism
Association*
*Charttes
*Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat
*Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Tours
Corporation
*Tourism Australia

9. Achievements to Date
• Draft proposal submitted for review (June 2012)
• Stakeholder workshop completed
• Stakeholder consultations, meetings, visits
• 2 PhD candidates recruited
• 1 Honours candidate recruited (fieldwork undertaken, Kimberley region)
• 1 Vacation candidate complete
• Advisory group identified (invitations pending)
• 2 background reports nearing completion by June 2012

10. Dr Damien Jacobsen
Principal Research Leader
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product
CRC for Remote Economic Participation
PO Box 157
C/O School of Tourism and Hospitality Management,
Southern Cross University
Phone: 02 6620 3042
Mobile: 04 1666 2009
E-mail: damien.jacobsen@nintione.com.au

11. Partners of Ninti One