A move to position the Far North, including the Port Douglas/Mossman region as Australia’s Indigenous tourist leader has gained momentum with key steps in place to establish a specific First Nations tourism plan.

Upcoming workshops over the next three months will provide the framework and intel for the plan, which, when completed will be used to drive the first nations tourism market in Far North Queensland

 “There are Indigenous people with great ideas for a tourism business, but they are not sure how to go about it and this plan will give them that direction,” Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby told Newsport.

“The biggest outcomes (from the plan) will be job creation, looking after country, being able to present country and enabling non-Indigenous people to experience what that connection to country (across the Far North really) is.”

One of the Far North’s leading tourism figures is delighted about the eventual formation of the plan.

“The plan will set a vision and provide a clear voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander tourism businesses and really pave the way for their future in this exciting industry,” Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said.

At a glance

• A region specific First nations tourism action plan for Tropical North Queensland will be created to drive indigenous tourism in FNQ.
• Information collected at a series of upcoming workshops will help create the plan, with consultation open until June.
• Steering formed last year to manage and implement the plan.
• Workshops to be held in Yarrabah – 19 April, Thursday Island – 3 May, Bamaga – 5 May, Weipa – 10 May, Innisfail – 12 May, Lockhart River – 23 May, Coen – 24 May, Mossman – 27 May, Normanton – 31 May, Atherton – 9 June, Cairns / Edmonton – 13 June, Cairns City – 14 June, Laura – 22 June, Cooktown – 29 June
• Some key First nations experiences, among others, already in existence in FNQ include Rainforestation, Mossman Gorge, Walkabout Cultural adventures, Mandingalbay ancient Indigenous tours and Talaroo hot springs.