Building knowledge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote tourism – Key visitor markets and opportunities in remote Australia
Building knowledge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote tourism – Key visitor markets and opportunities in remote Australia Report
CRC-REP Working Paper
- Author(s): Jacobsen, D.
- Published: 2012
- Publisher: Ninti One Limited
- Volume: CW012
Abstract: This report was developed as part of the CRC for Remote Economic Participation (CRC-REP) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product Project. The report provides an overview of various visitor markets relevant to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in tourism. The report accumulates this information for CRC-REP stakeholders to update existing market knowledge and stimulate remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider broad development opportunities based on accessible visitor segments. The report divides the market descriptions into two categories: Aboriginal tourism; and, remote tourism. The third section of the report provides a snapshot of visitor segments in three different destination regions of Remote Australia. The existing information highlights that key Aboriginal tourism market segments include international and domestic visitors. The report outlines that key international visitor markets for Aboriginal tourism experiences include: Germany; Japan; the United Kingdom; the United States; and, South Korea. Visitor numbers from many of these countries have reduced in recent years, while international Aboriginal tourism visitor numbers have also declined. The report also discusses the growth in visitors from China. Domestic markets for Aboriginal Tourism are also discussed, with the available statistics and research suggesting that this segment has also recorded a downward trend for overall and Aboriginal tourism experiences in recent years. Other challenges include matching Aboriginal tourism experiences with domestic visitor expectations. This report also draws attention to a range of remote tourism visitor segments, including: four-wheel drivers; caravan and campers; grey nomads; volunteers; wildlife visitors; fishing enthusiasts; and, eco-tourists. The needs of each segment offer diverse tourism development opportunities and the information in this report may stimulate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in tourism to cater to segments accessible in their regions. The final section of this report discusses visitor segments in three destination regions of Remote Australia. The section highlights that while different regions can share some visitor segments, the diversity of Remote Australia highlights the need for decision making that combines localised insight with an understanding of remote tourism. In presenting a brief outline of many remote visitor segments, this report is limited in specifying visitor segments relevant to every destination region of Remote Australia. The report does not suggest tourism initiatives that may be relevant to each segment because decision makers must determine the unique tourism potential specific to their region.