AusLeisure

The recently completed $30 million refurbishment of Ayers Rock Resort aims to boost Australia's Indigenous tourism sector and lure more visitors to the Red Centre.

Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson this week officially opened the resort's new conference rooms, accommodation and guest facilities today.

At the opening Minister Ferguson stated "I would like to congratulate the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia for investing in these upgrades

"They will allow the resort to cater to increased demand for quality tourism products, including from Chinese tourists and business travellers.

"There is now a particularly strong market for Australia's Indigenous tourism experiences, which accounted for about 13% of our international visitors at last count.

"Ayers Rock Resort has allocated significant funding to developing Indigenous workers to give visitors a full Indigenous tourism experience and improve employment outcomes."

The resort has set a target of 50% Indigenous employment by 2018 and houses a National Indigenous Training Academy established by the ILC with training delivered by the William Angliss Institute.

ILC has also established an Indigenous training centre at Mossman Gorge in Queensland and a National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney's Redfern.

The Australian Government's Tourism 2020 Indigenous Tourism Working Group is developing a strategy to provide career pathways for graduates from these and similar facilities.

Minister Ferguson added "the Government has also provided Strategic Tourism Investment Grants to help develop innovative Indigenous products and experiences.

"We have appointed John King as Australia's dedicated Indigenous Tourism Business Leader, with the responsibility for increasing Indigenous engagement with tourism businesses."

For more information go to www.ayersrockresort.com.au/

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