The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today officially opened the Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre, at Bulli Tops near Wollongong.
Australian Government funding of $100,000 from the Australian Tourism Development Program contributed towards the $250,000 project to construct new retail facilities at the centre. The new shopfront will showcase artworks from local Aboriginal artists and bring in new revenue for the existing business.
Minister Ferguson said: 'We make these investments because they deliver real benefits like jobs and business opportunities in local communities throughout Australia. The Australian Government is committed to fostering innovation in the industry, and supporting leaders like the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation to develop tourism projects for the benefit of their communities.'
On 15 April 2009, the TQUAL Grants program replaced the Australian Tourism Development Program. To date, the program has provided almost $8.3 million towards 70 projects throughout Australia. These targeted investments assist the industry to explore new market opportunities, expand the range of services they can offer, promote growth and contribute to job creation throughout the Australian tourism industry.
The Australian Government is also investing in tourism marketing to support further growth in international and domestic tourism. Tourism Australia's new global marketing campaign There's Nothing Like Australia will showcase Australia to the world by inviting Australians to share their favourite place or experience and upload them to the campaign website www.nothinglikeaustralia.com . To date, over 15,000 people have participated in the campaign.
Minister Ferguson said: 'This campaign uses word of mouth and harnesses the power of new technology, like social media, to bring more visitors to us. Timed to coincide with the return of consumer confidence, it is a proactive campaign aimed at getting the most out of any future increase in global visitor numbers.'
The significance of tourism across Australia is recognised in the Australian Government's National Long-Term Tourism Strategy, which, in partnership with industry and state and territory governments, aims to improve product quality and accreditation, build a skilled and innovative workforce, unlock investment in infrastructure, and make the most of our natural competitive advantages, such as our landscapes and indigenous and cultural heritage.
The Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery Centre was developed by the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation to share the social history and culture of the Aboriginal people of Illawarra and the South Coast. The centre is situated just out of Wollongong at Bulli Tops in NSW.