Sharing the country: ecotourism policy and Indigenous peoples in Australia

Abstract

This chapter first discusses tourism policy-making and Aboriginal or indigenous tourism in Australia, including ecotourism ventures. Next, various Aboriginal tourism strategies are reviewed with reference to indigenous input and roles in ecotourism. The policy and management roles for indigenous people are also identified in nature-based tourism strategies and ecotourism plans in several Australian states. A case study highlights the role of rainforest Aboriginal people in policy making and in nature tourism strategy for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of north Queensland. This chapter suggests that ecotourism policies address indigenous cultural heritage and environmental relationships, but have limited means for indigenous participation in the control and management of ecotourism as Native Title holders and traditional land owners.