JOB CREATION
PITCHING TENTS FOR PROSPERITY
WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA
If camping is more your style, there are plenty of ways to explore while supporting local communities. Some campgrounds in Western Australia are helping to lift local Indigenous communities.
What's
changing
Tourism is becoming a vital tool for providing job opportunities to remote, Indigenous communities, allowing residents to stay on their traditional lands instead of migrating for work.
What's already
possible
In Western Australia, the “Camping with Custodians” program supports Aboriginal communities with the development of high-quality campgrounds on their lands to attract tourism revenue.
Seizing
the opportunity
“Camping with Custodians” campgrounds are primarily in the northern region of the state, each owned by the local community. Anyone who books a site at the campground pays fees that benefit the traditional owners of the area. The campgrounds give the communities markets for complementary tourism experiences that share their cultures. For example, the Djarindjin campground’s website makes it easy for guests to book nearby cultural tours. The campground at Imintji offers arts programming with a gallery and cultural events. An on-site store and coffee shop that serve refreshments to visitors are sources of employment for residents. The Lombadina site, which opened in May 2024, is two hours north of Broome and the only campground located within a remote community.
Standout
tactic
Tourism Western Australia provides support to new tourism businesses and new campground operators.
How
it helps
Since 2016, Tourism Western Australia has worked with local communities to establish seven “Camping with Custodians campgrounds across the state. The campgrounds generate income for local communities, provide employment, facilitate training opportunities and give residents economic opportunities on their traditional lands. For travelers, they provide a base to visit remote areas and connect with Indigenous Australian culture.
Diving
deeper
How can programs like “Camping with Custodians” ensure that attracting more tourists to remote areas will not lead to environmental degradation or damage to culturally sensitive sites?
Increasing
impact
Mentorship programs where experienced tourism operators or cultural leaders mentor younger or less experienced community members could extend expertise within the community, bringing them into leadership roles in tourism.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
