Aboriginal art holds key to tourism: MP

Aboriginal art and culture could be the point of difference the Mid West needs to attract more tourists, according to shadow tourism minister Paul Papalia.

The Labor MP said tourism would become more important in the wake of the downturn in the mining industry, and believed an investment in tourism could help maintain growth in the local economy and job market.

“There are opportunities but … what it really needs is a concerted effort by the State to generate those visitors and draw them here,” Mr Papalia said.

“One of the great opportunities that we haven’t really tapped into is indigenous cultural attractions.

“People coming from overseas or interstate, they have a key desire for an indigenous experience, and the Mid West has Aboriginal cultural attractions that could be built upon.”

Mr Papalia said the Mid West was competing with the east coast in terms of attracting tourists and something was needed to distinguish the region from other parts of Australia.

“Everyone’s got beautiful beaches, pretty bush and nice food — where we can be different is (through) the indigenous culture, ” he said.

“You’re really reducing your competition then, (to) between us and the Northern Territory.”

Charmaine Green, of the Yamaji Art Centre, welcomed Mr Papalia’s comments, but said the promotion of Aboriginal art and tourist attractions needed to be improved.

“There’s a lot of potential for a niche tourism market with Aboriginal art and culture in the Yamaji region — we have a lot to offer, ” she said.

“The marketing certainly is something that needs to change … to make more people aware of what we do have.

“Somehow, we need to be linked further with WA tourism and what happens at that level.”

Ms Green said greater inclusion of Aboriginal art and culture into the State’s tourism strategy would be positive for local communities.

“It would be up to the stakeholders who develop those types of things, like the City of Geraldton and the Mid West Development Commission, to ensure that Aboriginal art and tourism is included in any strategy that’s put in place.”