Indigenous expressions at the The World Indigenous Tourism Summit 2023

As the year draws to a close, M&C Asia wishes to highlight a unique industry event that took place earlier this year: The World Indigenous Tourism Summit 2023. With increasing attention being given to legacy events and DEI, this conference is expected to draw greater support with each passing year. Hence, it came as no surprise that after two years of pandemic-induced postponement, and only in its second edition when it resumed from 13-16 March 2023, more than 650 delegates convened in the Western Australian capital for a four-day meeting to strengthen the commitment by indigenous tourism groups for a stronger voice.

The purpose of WITS 2023, in line with that of the summit owners, the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance, is to provide a forum for indigenous people seeking to draw upon and share their traditional experiences and universal indigenous values and, through tourism, seek to address the need for balance and harmony between different people and the environment.

Tourism minister, Roger Cook, said research shows that 80% of visitors to WA are seeking authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences that are tied to the land and its people. “Indigenous people are Australia's first tour guides and storytellers and have been perfecting this trade for thousands of years,” he said.

Perth shines

The conference, held at Crown Perth, included plenary and breakout sessions, a government symposium and three social functions. A gala dinner showcased Australian Indigenous ingredients and table centrepieces designed by a team of talented young local indigenous people.

Two years of postponements led to countless challenges for the organiser, The Association Specialists, and the local organising committee, particularly in relation to speaker availability and programme changes, and the significantly higher-than-expected last minute registration by attendees.

“It was truly a team effort between the organising committee, The Associations Specialists and all the suppliers involved to come together to rapidly overcome the sheer volume of changes in a short space of time,” said The Association Specialists managing director, Nell Harrison.

“Without clear and open communication and everyone approaching the conference from a solution-focused perspective, it wouldn’t have been the success that it turned out to be, or attracted the level of worldwide engagement.”

Strong partnerships, deep connections

The World Indigenous Tourism Alliance and the Western Australia Indigenous Tourism Operators Council used their strong relationships with local and international indigenous communities to not only raise awareness of the conference but provide deeper connection with and between delegates, including those working in remote communities.

Additional support from organisations including Business Events Perth, Tourism WA and Tourism Australia helped expand the reach of the conference and enhance engagement with small and medium Indigenous enterprises.

The local organising committee also worked closely with Australian government bodies from all states to support delegate attendance, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade helped to connect with the international community.

Celebrating indigenous culture

With so many indigenous people being represented at the conference, it was decided late in the planning process to create a special cultural dance evening where all attendees were invited to participate and showcase their local customs.

The committee also engaged with local elders, TAFE lecturers, Australian Culinary Federation mentor chefs and the Western Australian indigenous-inspired Djinda Ngardak Program to create cultural culinary sculptures as table centrepieces for the WITS23 Gala Dinner.

Where practically possible the organising team incorporated indigenous suppliers, artists and people throughout the conference to uphold the values of WITS23.

Next year, the World Indigenous Tourism Summit will be held in Taiwan from 16-20 April 2024 at Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.