Institutional Affiliation
Section A.
2. Advantages and disadvantages of incorporating Aboriginal art and craft into Indigenous tourism. The art and craft industry is considered to be one of the principal areas of Aboriginal communities’ participation in tourism. Aboriginal artists frequently have to choose between producing things for the fine art market and producing materials for the tourist market (Altman & Finlayson, 2003). It is one of the disadvantages of the incorporation of Aboriginal art into tourism, since it presupposes a choice between culture and financial benefits. One the other hand, it brings a number of economic and social advantages to Aboriginal people. Tourists are normally interested in purchasing authentic materials. So, Aboriginal people can earn a living while producing things for tourists. It can be particularly beneficial for people living in remote areas with limited employment opportunities. Involvement in the art and craft industry can provide them with supplementary income and improve their financial situation. However, there should be more intermediary marketing organizations, which can help Aboriginal producers overcome locational barriers ((Altman & Finlayson, 2003).
4. The key issues facing Indigenous tourism in Victoria. The state Victoria in the south-eastern part of Australia is famous for its diverse Aboriginal culture and its developed indigenous tourism sector. During the last decade, it is known to have become more popular with international and domestic tourists. Annually, it attracts thousands of visitors, who are eager to learn about unique Aboriginal heritage. Aboriginal people can benefit from the development of tourism as well. However, there are still a number of problems to be solved. For example, according to Victoria’s Aboriginal Tourism Development Plan (2006), one of the weak points of Indigenous tourism in Victoria is its strategic branding. The tourism sector in Victoria is reported to be unable to communicate its market appeal effectively, since its businesses and different products offerings are not unified (Tourism Victoria, 2006). The following issue to be addressed is training of aboriginal tourism operators. The research conducted by the Aboriginal Tourism Reference Group has found out that most aboriginal tourism operators lack business and tourism skills. Some indigenous businesses are reported to lack engagement with regional travel industry. The barriers analyzed above prevent Victoria’s indigenous tourism from rapid development.
Section B
2. Australian regions are known to have little tourism product. However, they have become more popular with domestic and international tourists, since consumer demand for Aboriginal culture has considerably grown for the last years. Rural areas attract more and more visitors eager to explore values and traditions of Indigenous cultures and unexploited landscapes. The development of the tourism sector is believed to bring various social and economic benefits to marginalized Indigenous communities. It is expected to stimulate economic and social regeneration and contribute to the improvement of life quality and living conditions of Aboriginal people (Briedenhann & Wickens, 2004) The aim of the given essay is to analyze the essence of indigenous tourism, its objectives, its economic potential, and explore how Indigenous tourism may …