FAR NORTH INDIGENOUS TOURISM OPERATORS SAY G'DAY USA

Dreamtime stories and traditional dance have featured for the first time at the G’Day USA: Australia Week celebrations.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said two of the three Queensland Indigenous tourism operators handpicked to showcase their talents in LA and New York, operate right here in the Far North.

“Aurukun Wetland Charters offers visitors a journey through the Aurukun community, highlighted by encounters with abundant wildlife, pristine waterways and interaction with the Wik people.

“Walker Family Tours offers a unique interaction with the Walker Family, one of the clan groups of the Yalanji Tribe, and their lifestyle, and tourist visits to the Bloomfield Falls, a place of deep significance to the people.

“The Tales from Oz Indigenous road show which will also travel to Toronto Canada as part of the trade mission is invaluable exposure for Queensland’s indigenous tourism industry.

“Businesses like these can provide overseas visitors with a very real understanding of local indigenous customs culture and heritage and offer a rare opportunity to share in the state’s rich indigenous culture.”

The third tourism operator ‘Riverlife Mirrabooka’ is based in Brisbane.

The trade mission, organised by Tourism Australia is now the largest annual foreign-country promotion in the United States with more than 15 thousand consumers, trade and media.

Minister Boyle added the global economic situation was having an impact on tourism not only in Queensland but around the world, further highlighting the need for continued assistance and relationship building to secure the future of Queensland’s tourism sector.

“In June 2008 the Queensland Government announced a $4 million dollar assistance package for Queensland’s tourism industry to help overcome challenges of reduced air capacity and economic downturn,” Ms Boyle said.

She said Tourism Queensland had invested in five US campaigns during 2008.
The road show runs from the 14th to 29th of January.

23 January 2009
Media contact: 3224 2007 / 0437 436 914
Photos are available on request.

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