In a first for the Australian travel industry, 16 organisations have jointly established a Tourism Reconciliation Industry Networking Group (RING) to further reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through enhanced relationships, respect and opportunities.
The Tourism RING was convened by Tourism Australia and Intrepid Travel, with the support of Reconciliation Australia, and will act as an informal industry-led group that provides a space for businesses with a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to connect and collaborate together.
Despite more than 2,200 organisations having a RAP, disappointingly, only a handful of travel and tourism businesses have one.
“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.
“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.
The Tourism RING will 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.
“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,” said Brett Mitchell, Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director.
“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.
The Tourism RING members include:
- Airbnb
- Expedia Group
- Experience Co
- Flight Centre Travel Group
- Intrepid Travel
- Merlin Entertainments
- NRMA
- Qantas
- South Australian Tourism Commission
- Tourism Australia
- Tourism Holdings Australia
- Tourism Western Australia
- Virgin Australia
- VisitCanberra – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (ACT)
- Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
- YHA Australia
The Tourism RING will meet quarterly, with the inaugural meeting having taken place on 30 November 2022.
What is a RAP?
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) gives organisations a framework to contribute to the reconciliation movement. RAPs deliver tangible and substantive benefits for First Nations peoples and increase cultural safety in the workplace.
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.
For more information on how to start your RAP journey, head to: www.reconciliation.org.au