A new program has been launched to further support First Nation’s businesses in the tourism sector by the state government.
Acting Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Danny Pearson announced the First Peoples Tourism Growth Program.
First Nations-owned and operated businesses, Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner Corporations and Registered Aboriginal Parties are welcome to submit expressions of interest for grants of up to $125,000.
“We are proud to launch this new program to support First Nations businesses to grow and reach more travellers who want to learn about, engage in and embark on First Nations-led experiences as a part of their travels,” Mr Pearson said.
This program will support First Nations businesses with training, developing new tourism offerings and helping tourism providers to develop strategies to promote and grow their business.
It will support cultural heritage stewardship for projects that relate to tourism, including digitising and archiving of knowledge, cultural practice recording and documenting traditional songs, dances, and ceremonies.
Grants can also be used to support the purchase or leasing of assets or equipment for existing or newly developed tourism products.
“People come to Victoria from across the world to appreciate 65,000 years of rich and strong First Peoples cultures, histories and practices – this program will see these stories and experiences reach even more visitors,” Acting Treaty and First Peoples Minister Ben Carroll said.
The new program launches as the state grows its offering of First Nations tourism, with travellers increasingly embracing these experiences in their trips.
In 2023, more than 500,000 visitors participated in First Nations tourism experiences as part of their travels – spending $1.3 billion.
The program bolsters the Labor Government’s efforts to ensure the visitor economy authentically reflects the state’s cultural richness. It also supports broader efforts towards First Peoples self-determination and progress towards Treaty outlined in the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy (Invest in Tomorrow).
The program builds on the Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan which identifies First Nations-led experiences as the first of five key pillars that government will invest in to shape the future of the state’s visitor economy.
Expressions of interest for the First Peoples Tourism Growth Program close Wednesday, July 30.
