A growing interest in culture and the arts was the focus of a recent presentation in Kalgoorlie-Boulder by representatives from the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC). The visit, supported by the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber, highlighted the vital role Aboriginal communities and businesses can play in regional tourism and the importance of leveraging available funding to support cultural initiatives.
The presentation was led by WAITOC’s Business Development Manager, Karl Millard and Events Development Coordinator, Ray Bird, who highlighted the potential for the Goldfields region to attract interstate and international visitors. They encouraged local operators to access support to help bring cultural tourism experiences to a wider audience.
Key discussions centred around event planning, funding opportunities and strategies to strengthen cultural events in the region. The value of aligning tours with seasonal highlights – such as wildflower season to showcase the unique appeal of different areas was emphasised. More events in the region will ultimately boost visitation, creating positive economic benefits for local communities.