supported by
supported by
EMPOWERING
Aboriginal
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
IN TOURISM
ENHANCING EXISTING
Tourism
BUSINESSES THROUGH
TAILORED PROGRAMS
MAKING
Western Australia
A WORLD LEADER IN
ABORIGINAL TOURISM
Aboriginal Tourism Western Australia is empowering Aboriginal entrepreneurship in tourism in a manner that is unique in Australia, greatly admired and envied by other states.
The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) is a council representing Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism businesses in Western Australia, promoting and supporting Aboriginal tourism experiences in the state. A not-for-profit organisation, WAITOC aims to benefit its community and advance cultural understanding through sustainable tourism. The "achievement formula" for WAITOC revolves around resourcefulness, collaboration, advocacy, and capacity building. By leveraging partnerships, engaging with stakeholders, and advocating for Aboriginal tourism, WAITOC continues to successfully promote sustainable and authentic tourism experiences for the oldest living culture in the world.
Aboriginal Tourism Western Australia (ATWA) was created as a subsidiary of WAITOC, in order to diversify funding and sustainability, moving away from the reliance on cyclical State Government funding. ATWA is registered as a charitable body, with the purpose of accepting philanthropic funding, donations and corporate sponsorships, increasing resilience and enhancing opportunities to reach under-supported regions across the state, and improving the development of Aboriginal tourism entrepreneurial expertise.
ATWA’s vision, through WAITOC, empowers communities through our advocacy, capacity building, and marketing of tourism businesses. ATWA promotes authentic experiences, collaborates with stakeholders, and leverages resources for sustainable growth. Crucial in preserving cultural heritage, ATWA drives economic empowerment while engaging Aboriginal communities in decision-making and fostering tourism development. While having worked with businesses in the Perth region and Broome for a number of years, ATWA’s support has allowed the employment of new representative mentors in Albany to service the South West, Geraldton to service the mid West/Coral Coast, and Kununurra for the East Kimberley region.
Our People
Robert Taylor
CEO - ATWA, WAITOC
Robert, a Nhanda Yamaji man from Western Australia, has worked for the past seven years as Chief Executive Officer for WAITOC. Robert has taken the organisation from a marketing and advocacy Aboriginal tourism organisation and introduced business development as a further arm of the organisation to build business leaders for the future and create a strong Aboriginal tourism sector for Western Australia. His drive to ensure the country understands the value of Aboriginal tourism has been rewarded through securing funding at a local state and federal government level for Aboriginal tourism.
Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell
Chair | Western Australia
Darren "Capes" Capewell is a proud and passionate descendant of the Nhanda and Malgana People of Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) situated in the Yamaji region of Western Australia. Capes is proud of his homeland and his family, he loves sharing his knowledge, leading his tour guests across a cultural divide and helping them to connect with one of the most pristine areas on the planet. Capes is the owner and operator of Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures and conducts on country eco cultural experiences around Gutharraguda. As a descendant of the land's Traditional Custodians, Capes feels it is his duty to be an ambassador for both his people and his country.
