Aboriginal ways of tourism enterprise clustering in Australia: Aboriginal business knowledge for our future

Dr. Damien Jacobsen

Principal Research LeaderAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product ProjectCooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic ParticipationSouthern Cross University, Australia

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October 2014 on Nykina country, Kimberley, Western Australia.Attended by Aboriginal remote tourism operators from throughout Australia.The forum enabled participants to:

• share knowledge • develop a long-term outlook on enterprise clustering for Aboriginal

tourism

Aboriginal Tourism Enterprise Clustering Forum

Image adapted from: http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/gibb-river-road-map.html

Forum venue

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For many participants, it was the first time that their business expertise was the focus of a tourism meeting.

Aboriginal Tourism Enterprise Clustering Forum

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Tourism academia = portray Aboriginal tourism business in start-up phase (need education; don’t understand tourism; unreliable; culture inhibits business; locational disadvantage; lack of Aboriginal academics; etc.)

Society and media = portray Aboriginal people as unable to advance (no good at business; poor financial management; cycles of abuse; our communities in turmoil; etc.)

Tourism industry = Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often marginalised (cultural capability; tokenism; excluded from decision making; small player; under-resourced; etc.)

Government = Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have no voice (Aboriginal representation for tourism only 1 – Western Australia – of 7 State/Territories; no national representation; excluded from decision making; GDP agenda; etc.)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge of business in tourism: why the lack of recognition?

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What is enterprise clustering?

Clusters are groups of enterprises (often linked in with supporting organisations and other stakeholders) that work together to create stronger products and services.

Participants involved in clusters are often located in the same geographical region and interrelated by characteristics (e.g. the landscape) or specialities (such as fishing) associated with the area.

Clusters come in all shapes and sizes

‘Conventional’ theory = clusters comprise 18 common features

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Points of compatibility between Aboriginal ways and enterprise clustering

Management of shared resources through language, marriage, boundaries, etc.

Protocols for coexistence and harmony

Caring for each other – seeking mutual benefit

Trading

Aspirations in common

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles of enterprise clustering

Fusion of Cultural Diversity

The cultural diversity of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people

provides strength to business, as

well as value to the products and

experiences offered to visitors.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principles of enterprise clustering

Culturally GroundedObjectives

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways

of doing business focus on the wellbeing of

people, country and culture. These

objectives shape the unified visions of the

enterprise community.

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Knowledge enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to:

Form and maintain enterprise clusters in culturally appropriate ways

More control over marketing/representations

Create better products and experiences for visitors

Build repository of Aboriginal business know-how and learning

Establish self-representation within industry and government

Increase self-reliance and implement regional approach to tourism

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Thank you!Please visit: http://crc-rep.com/

Information about all of the principles is available on our website

Contact Details:Dr Damien JacobsenPhone: 02 6620 3042E-mail: damien.jacobsen@nintione.com.au