2009
9 August 2009
Tourism plan blackout Indigenous culture strategy gathers dust
Sunday Tasmanian
GILL VOWLES
p.11
THE State Government has been accused of ignoring a lucrative tourism sector.
In 2007, the Department of Premier and Cabinet invested an undisclosed sum in preparing an Aboriginal tourism development plan.
But more than two years later, Tasmanian Aboriginal Land and Sea Council board member Hank Horton says none of the plan has been implemented and his pleas to successive Tourism Ministers have been ignored.
``In the past 18 months I have made three formal requests for a meeting with the Minister,'' said Mr Horton, who is also an indigenous tourism consultant.
``The last letter, in 2008, said the Minister would respond later but I haven't heard a thing.''
Mr Horton said the potential for indigenous tourism was huge and his community feared non-Aboriginal operators would start capitalising on it.
He said there were only two true indigenous tour operators in Tasmania -- himself and Tiagarra at Devonport -- although others claimed to offer authentic experiences.
Aboriginal tourism is defined as experiences or things that are owned by Aborigines, where they benefit by gaining employment and income and which provide consensual contact with Aboriginal people, cultural heritage or land.
Mr Horton said it was both a blessing and a curse that Tasmanian indigenous tourism was in its infancy.
``It is a curse because we can't meet the demand for indigenous tourism,'' he said.
``At peak times, I have five times the work I am able to do but it is also a blessing because it gives us the opportunity to do it right.
``The current lack of experiences means our sites haven't been promoted and people don't have a preconception about what they can do.
``That means we won't have battles about appropriate use of sensitive sites like the current controversy over whether tourists should climb Uluru.''
Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council chairman Clyde Mansell said: ``Implementation of the plan has stalled.
``A lot has been the inability of Tourism Tasmania to drive it but the Aboriginal community hasn't necessarily been pushing for it.
``The important thing is that until we can bridge the gap between the demand for indigenous tourism and my community's ability to deliver it, we need protocols to ensure visitors are getting the authentic interpretations.
``The plan should have delivered that by now.''
Mr Horton said there would be no progress until an Aboriginal tourism body was formed.
Tourism Minister Michelle O'Byrne said Aboriginal tourism in Tasmania was at an early stage of development.
``We have very few commercial experiences in Tasmania in this area and we need to move ahead carefully,'' she said. ``I'm confident Aboriginal heritage can become an increasing part of the state tourism experience.''
PAYS TO BE POPULAR
* Domestic indigenous tourism visitors spend more per trip than other visitors ($1570 compared with $627).
* They stay longer (11 nights compared with four).
* Popular aspects are Aboriginal art and cultural displays (72%) and visiting an Aboriginal site (48%).
* International indigenous tourism visitors also spend more per trip ($7895 compared with $4736).
* They stay longer (53 nights compared with 29).
* 76% will visit an Aboriginal art/cultural display, 37% will visit an Aboriginal site and 29% will attend an Aboriginal performance. Source: Tourism Australia - Indigenous Tourism Visitors in Australia 2008
Tourism plan blackout Indigenous culture strategy gathers dust
Sunday Tasmanian
GILL VOWLES
p.11
THE State Government has been accused of ignoring a lucrative tourism sector.
In 2007, the Department of Premier and Cabinet invested an undisclosed sum in preparing an Aboriginal tourism development plan.
But more than two years later, Tasmanian Aboriginal Land and Sea Council board member Hank Horton says none of the plan has been implemented and his pleas to successive Tourism Ministers have been ignored.
``In the past 18 months I have made three formal requests for a meeting with the Minister,'' said Mr Horton, who is also an indigenous tourism consultant.
``The last letter, in 2008, said the Minister would respond later but I haven't heard a thing.''
Mr Horton said the potential for indigenous tourism was huge and his community feared non-Aboriginal operators would start capitalising on it.
He said there were only two true indigenous tour operators in Tasmania -- himself and Tiagarra at Devonport -- although others claimed to offer authentic experiences.
Aboriginal tourism is defined as experiences or things that are owned by Aborigines, where they benefit by gaining employment and income and which provide consensual contact with Aboriginal people, cultural heritage or land.
Mr Horton said it was both a blessing and a curse that Tasmanian indigenous tourism was in its infancy.
``It is a curse because we can't meet the demand for indigenous tourism,'' he said.
``At peak times, I have five times the work I am able to do but it is also a blessing because it gives us the opportunity to do it right.
``The current lack of experiences means our sites haven't been promoted and people don't have a preconception about what they can do.
``That means we won't have battles about appropriate use of sensitive sites like the current controversy over whether tourists should climb Uluru.''
Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council chairman Clyde Mansell said: ``Implementation of the plan has stalled.
``A lot has been the inability of Tourism Tasmania to drive it but the Aboriginal community hasn't necessarily been pushing for it.
``The important thing is that until we can bridge the gap between the demand for indigenous tourism and my community's ability to deliver it, we need protocols to ensure visitors are getting the authentic interpretations.
``The plan should have delivered that by now.''
Mr Horton said there would be no progress until an Aboriginal tourism body was formed.
Tourism Minister Michelle O'Byrne said Aboriginal tourism in Tasmania was at an early stage of development.
``We have very few commercial experiences in Tasmania in this area and we need to move ahead carefully,'' she said. ``I'm confident Aboriginal heritage can become an increasing part of the state tourism experience.''
PAYS TO BE POPULAR
* Domestic indigenous tourism visitors spend more per trip than other visitors ($1570 compared with $627).
* They stay longer (11 nights compared with four).
* Popular aspects are Aboriginal art and cultural displays (72%) and visiting an Aboriginal site (48%).
* International indigenous tourism visitors also spend more per trip ($7895 compared with $4736).
* They stay longer (53 nights compared with 29).
* 76% will visit an Aboriginal art/cultural display, 37% will visit an Aboriginal site and 29% will attend an Aboriginal performance. Source: Tourism Australia - Indigenous Tourism Visitors in Australia 2008
13 May 2009
Ainu cultural visit (from Japan) welcomed by Uncle Merv Gower and Phillip Bassett-Cowen at Tiagarra
Karen Smart applying ochre to the visiting Ainu delegation
2008
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2007
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2006
20 October 2006
Tiagarra founder shunned
Advocate
p.8
17 October 2006
Tiagarra celebrates 30-year contribution
Advocate
p.9
Tiagarra founder shunned
Advocate
p.8
17 October 2006
Tiagarra celebrates 30-year contribution
Advocate
p.9
October 2006
TIAGARRA'S 30th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
TIAGARRA'S 30th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Uncle Merv Gower being presented a 30th anniversary gift for TIAGARRA by Clare Anderson, RIAWUNNA - Centre for Aboriginal Studies, University of Tasmania
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July 2006
Photo of the book launch at Tiagarra of:
Keeping Culture - Aboriginal Tasmania, Editor Amanda Reynolds, National Museum of Australia, 2006.
Left to right: Amanda Reynolds, Auntie Phyllis Pitchford, Julie Gough, Greg Lehman
Book contents:
Keeping Culture - Aboriginal Tasmania, Editor Amanda Reynolds, National Museum of Australia, 2006.
Left to right: Amanda Reynolds, Auntie Phyllis Pitchford, Julie Gough, Greg Lehman
Book contents:
- Mutton-birding at Little Dog / Karen Brown
- A poem, a photo and a postcard / Amanda Jane Reynolds
- Being collected and keeping it real / Julie Gough
- Healing the past / Tony Brown
- Being here: authenticity and presence in Tasmanian Aboriginal art / Greg Lehman
- Maireener: Tasmanian Aboriginal shell necklaces / Lola Greeno
- 'Our tally': a day's birdin' through the eyes of a child / Phyllis Pitchford
- Songs / Cheryl Mundy
- We fish for our families / Rodney Dillon
- This is Manalargenna country: clan country of a first nation / Jim Everett
- Reflections: creating an Aboriginal collection from Tasmania / Amanda Jane Reynolds
- The Aboriginal collection from Tasmania 2003
- My mother, the shell necklace maker / Karen Brown.
29 July 2006
A new story for Artists' Week
Mercury
PHIL BECK
p.9
MOVE over artists, now it's time for the writers to have a go.
After three successful years staging Living Artists' Week, arts@work this year is showcasing Tasmanian literature with the inaugural Living Writers' Week.
Author and festival co-ordinator David Owen said yesterday almost 150 events were planned during the week which runs from August 11 to 20.
``There will be plenty of opportunities for people to get involved and enjoy themselves,'' Mr Owen said.
``There is great variety and most of the events, half of which have been devised by local communities, are free.''
The festival's official launch will be held at the Tasmanian Museum and Arts Gallery on Friday, August 11 at noon.
This event will also see the launch of a landmark National Museum of Australia publication Keeping Culture: Aboriginal Tasmania.
Nine writers have contributed to the publication
including former ATSIC commissioner Rodney Dillon and poet and playwright Jim Everett who has 30 years' formal involvement in the Aboriginal struggle.
The writers will discuss the book and read extracts at the University of Tasmania's
Newnham campus on Saturday, August 12 at noon and at the Tiagarra Aboriginal Culture Centre and Museum at Devonport on Sunday, August 13 at 11 am.
Several other books will be launched during the week.
A highlight of the festival will be the first-ever Tasmanian book fair, to be held in the atrium of Hobart Henry Jones Art Hotel on Sunday, August 13.
Up to 300 Tasmanian titles will be available for purchase, and many authors will be present to sign books.
02 August 2006
$2.2m plan to boost Tiagarra's profile
Advocate
p.8
27 March 2006
Tiagarra's truly tempting: feast of Aboriginal history in Devonport
Advocate. ZigZag
p.7
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2005
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19/11/2005
Tourism awards honour old and new attractions
Mercury
MIKE BINGHAM
p.12
TWO Hobart hotels and the Port Arthur Historic Site were all double winners at last night's Tasmanian tourism awards.
Port Arthur was named best major attraction and was also the heritage and cultural tourism winner.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel won the luxury accommodation category and best new tourism development.
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel topped the meetings and business section, and gained the award for tourism education and training. Tourism Council Tasmania chief executive Daniel Leesong said the awards had attracted record entries in most categories.
The awards:
Major tourism attraction: Port Arthur Historic Site. Significant regional attraction: Tamar River Cruises. Highly commended: Boags Centre for Beer Lovers, West Coast Wilderness Railway. Major festivals and events: 10 Days on the Island. Significant festivals and events: Antarctic Midwinter Festival. Ecotourism: Freycinet Adventures. Heritage and cultural tourism: Port Arthur Historic Site. Highly commended: Woolmers Estate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism: Tiagarra. General tourism services: Forest and Heritage Centre. Meetings and business tourism: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism retailing: Lavender House-Lavender Fields Tasmania. Major tour and transport operators: Tigerline Travel (inducted into Hall of Fame). Significant tour and transport operators: Gordon River Cruises. Highly commended, Naturally Tasmania Tours. Adventure tourism: Maria Island Walk. Tourism product marketing: Federal Hotels and Resorts. Tourism education and training: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism restaurants and catering services: Peppermint Bay. Highly commended: Home Hill Winery and Restaurant. Tourism wineries: Moorilla Estate. Tourist and caravan parks: Cosy Cabins Devonport. Backpacker accommodation: The Devils Playground. Hosted accommodation: Ashton Gate. Unique accommodation: Beachside Retreat West Inlet. Standard accommodation: Dovecote Motel and Restaurant. Deluxe accommodation: Diamond Island Oceanview Apartments. Highly commended: Somerset on the Pier. Luxury accommodation: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. New tourism development: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. Highly commended: Barnbougle Dunes. Outstanding contribution by an individual: Brian Inder. Minister's young achiever award: Alison Stubbs. Minister's award for outstanding contribution to tourism: Christine Dewar. People's choice award: Huon Franklin Cottage.
Tourism awards honour old and new attractions
Mercury
MIKE BINGHAM
p.12
TWO Hobart hotels and the Port Arthur Historic Site were all double winners at last night's Tasmanian tourism awards.
Port Arthur was named best major attraction and was also the heritage and cultural tourism winner.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel won the luxury accommodation category and best new tourism development.
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel topped the meetings and business section, and gained the award for tourism education and training. Tourism Council Tasmania chief executive Daniel Leesong said the awards had attracted record entries in most categories.
The awards:
Major tourism attraction: Port Arthur Historic Site. Significant regional attraction: Tamar River Cruises. Highly commended: Boags Centre for Beer Lovers, West Coast Wilderness Railway. Major festivals and events: 10 Days on the Island. Significant festivals and events: Antarctic Midwinter Festival. Ecotourism: Freycinet Adventures. Heritage and cultural tourism: Port Arthur Historic Site. Highly commended: Woolmers Estate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism: Tiagarra. General tourism services: Forest and Heritage Centre. Meetings and business tourism: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism retailing: Lavender House-Lavender Fields Tasmania. Major tour and transport operators: Tigerline Travel (inducted into Hall of Fame). Significant tour and transport operators: Gordon River Cruises. Highly commended, Naturally Tasmania Tours. Adventure tourism: Maria Island Walk. Tourism product marketing: Federal Hotels and Resorts. Tourism education and training: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism restaurants and catering services: Peppermint Bay. Highly commended: Home Hill Winery and Restaurant. Tourism wineries: Moorilla Estate. Tourist and caravan parks: Cosy Cabins Devonport. Backpacker accommodation: The Devils Playground. Hosted accommodation: Ashton Gate. Unique accommodation: Beachside Retreat West Inlet. Standard accommodation: Dovecote Motel and Restaurant. Deluxe accommodation: Diamond Island Oceanview Apartments. Highly commended: Somerset on the Pier. Luxury accommodation: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. New tourism development: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. Highly commended: Barnbougle Dunes. Outstanding contribution by an individual: Brian Inder. Minister's young achiever award: Alison Stubbs. Minister's award for outstanding contribution to tourism: Christine Dewar. People's choice award: Huon Franklin Cottage.
