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Changemakers: Tourism Reconciliation Industry Networking Group gathers for first time

The Tourism Reconciliation Industry Networking Group (RING) held its first in-person gathering last week in Sydney/Warrane on Gadigal Country to listen, share learnings and explore ways to support and further reconciliation across its companies and the wider tourism industry.

The Tourism Reconciliation Industry Networking Group (RING) held its first in-person gathering last week in Sydney/Warrane on Gadigal Country to listen, share learnings and explore ways to support and further reconciliation across its companies and the wider tourism industry.

Twenty-two RING members, all of whom have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), attended the inaugural face-to-face gathering held at Tourism Australia’s head office in Sydney/Warrane.

Guest speakers who popped in for a yarn on the day included Mark Koolmatrie and Aunty Margret Campbell, with group topics focussing on RAP initiatives and collaboration. Meeting in person significantly bolstered the energy in the room, as previously, RING had only met online quarterly.

The Tourism RING was convened by Tourism Australia and Intrepid Travel in November 2022 with the support of Reconciliation Australia and acts as an informal industry-led group that provides a space for businesses with a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to connect and collaborate.

The initiative aims to share challenges and opportunities, identify best practices in reconciliation, and listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on topics relevant to reconciliation, culture, and tourism.

Despite over 2,200 organisations having a RAP, only a handful of travel and tourism businesses have one.

Tourism RING members include:

Dreamtime Dive-and-snorkel Experience CO
Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel in Cairns, and Experience Co business
  • Airbnb
  • American Express Global Business Travel
  • BridgeClimb
  • Carnival Cruises
  • Expedia Group
  • Experience Co
  • Flight Centre Travel Group
  • Intrepid Travel
  • Mandoon Estate
  • Merlin Entertainments
  • NRMA
  • Park Trek Outdoor Experiences
  • Qantas
  • Rottnest Island Authority
  • Reflections Holiday Parks
  • South Australian Tourism Commission
  • Tourism Australia
  • Tourism Holdings Australia
  • Tourism Western Australia
  • Tourism Transport Fund
  • Village Roadshow Theme Parks
  • Virgin Australia
  • VisitCanberra – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (ACT)
  • Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
  • YHA Australia
  • Zoos South Australia

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan? (RAP)

QantasLink_A220-300_Uluru_flight_Runway Reconciliation
QantasLink_A220-300_Uluru_flight_Runway

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

Based on the core pillars of relationships, respect, and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.

RAPs can include activities such as increasing Indigenous employment, partnering with Indigenous organisations, and promoting Indigenous culture and heritage.

They are intended to be a flexible, ongoing process of reconciliation rather than a one-time initiative.

“Through tourism people can engage, listen and connect with the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures in every corner on this country,” said Phil Lockyer, Head of Indigenous Affairs at Tourism Australia when the Tourism RING was launched in 2022.

Phil_Lockyer
Phil Lockyer, Head of Indigenous Affairs at Tourism Australia

“Our industry’s role in the reconciliation movement is an important one. As RAPs grow across the industry, being able to come together and to support and learn from each other and listen to diverse Indigenous voices will help us to build on our RAPs and challenges or ambitions,” Lockyer added.

Brett Mitchell, Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director, said, “Australia is home to the oldest continuing culture in the world and tourism is uniquely placed to celebrate, share and learn from First Nations peoples,”

“Building strong and positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is an important part of our mission to create positive change through the joy of travel,” he added.

With momentum going well, the group say they are now working on a variety of cross-industry initiatives for the year ahead and hope to attract more new members to the group.

Keen to get involved? Head to https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans to start your journey.