The Role of Culture in Indigenous Tourism Management in Remote Australia

This paper analyses the downturn in Australian Indigenous tourism in recent years and discusses the role of culture in Indigenous tourism management. It argues that the attraction of Indigenous culture is a major driver of Indigenous tourism development and plays a key role in Indigenous tourism establishment and management. Case studies from Central Australia are used to develop some principles for management success. These suggest that many cultural components including kinship, eldership, land ownership and sociality and. partnership are important determinants in Indigenous tourism business management. Their combination with western/modem cultural components, such as organisational leadership, would benefit both Indigenous people and other stakeholders involved in the tourism industry, thereby fostering Indigenous tourism success and sustainability. It recommends that Indigenous tourism management policies should pay more attention to harnessing cultural differences and calls for a broader involvement in not only technical support but also preparation in securing "culturally ready" tourism management.