TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute has partnered with Tourism NSW to upskill local Aboriginal tourism guides and operators in remote areas of Western NSW.
The training is designed for people who are already guiding or who have a connection with interpretation or storytelling that enhances the visitor experience. Students enrol in Certificate IV in Tourism Guiding and complete two modules from the course: Tour Commentaries and Develop Interpretive Skills.
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Looking to make the most of local tourism? |
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Tailored training can improve visitor experiences. |
The first round of training was delivered in Brewarrina in June. Participants were from Wilcannia, Goodooga, Cobar, Bourke and Brewarrina.
Vicki Longmuir, who teaches part-time at Western Sydney Institute and also works in the industry as a Tour Guide and Tour Manager, was contacted by Tourism NSW to develop training for local tour guides in remote areas.
‘We looked at a number of areas, and identified Brewarrina as the first place,’ Ms Longmuir said. ‘Even though it’s only a small town with a tiny population, they have a national heritage-listed Aboriginal site and we wanted to help them promote that.’
Brewarrina is well known for the 40,000 year old Aboriginal fishing traps which are located just below the weir in the Brewarrina Township. These traps are constructed from carefully placed rocks in a circular arrangement. It is the only National Heritage Listed site in NSW outside of Sydney.
Amy Kirby, Tourist Officer at the Brewarrina Visitors’ Centre, said it was wonderful to have access to the training.
‘I’ve been in my job for over two years, but I’d had no prior training, so it was really good to do this course,’ Ms Kirby said. ‘I’ve learnt many new skills I can apply directly to my work.’
Patricia Wilkinson, Western Regional Manager, Tourism NSW, said the organisation recognised there were significant Aboriginal cultural sites in the area with historical and cultural meaning behind them that visitors may be interested to learn about.
‘We saw it as a great opportunity to take some very specialised training to a remote area of NSW. It gave people some skills in commentary and interpretation, and also made more people aware that they have a significant cultural product in the area which they should be sharing with other people, especially visitors.’
Ms Wilkinson said that domestic tourists were looking for cultural diversity when they travel and Indigenous culture could provide that diversity.
‘We wanted to give people the confidence and ability to talk about their local history and significant sites,’ she said. ‘Those people become ambassadors for tourism and that goes on to provide economic benefit for the town. Everyone gets a flow-on effect from it in regional areas.’
The project was developed in response to Australian Government initiatives under the Australian Tourism Development Program to promote tourism as an economic stimulus for remote regions. It is anticipated that further projects for Aboriginal operators in Western and South Western NSW will follow.
