WAITOC, Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, celebrated gold, silver and hall of fame honours with family, friends and industry partners at this year's WA Tourism Awards.
Gold and Hall of Fame (3 consecutive golds) for the McGuire Family business Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences (Perth) - in the category Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Tourism.
"Since starting Go Cultural in April 2016, fuelled by an overwhelming determination to promote our beautiful People, the Aboriginal People of this Land, we’ve seen a change around us. We feel the change, for the good, in the spirit of this Country. People want to walk along side of us, to learn, start a journey and to do what needs to be done to work towards the recognition and re-instatement of the strength and beauty of Aboriginal People, Culture and Heritage at its best." More info about Go Cultural Tours here
Gold and Hall of Fame for Clinton Walker, Ngurrangga Tours (Pilbara) - in the category Individual Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism.
"Without the great teaching of my family and elders, this would never have been possible. So, I want to dedicate this award to my people, I want to follow in their footsteps, inspire the next generation in the same strong way and make them proud of who they are." More info about Ngurrangga Tours here
Gold for WAITOC in the category Tourism Marketing and Campaigns for the innovative Postcards From Our Backyard. A series of fun, entertaining snapshots from the homelands of the Aboriginal guides and storytellers as they work and play in WA. View the Postcards here
"This award endorses our unique and authentic Aboriginal experiences - the world's oldest living culture - as an iconic drawcard for tourism to Western Australia. WAITOC's diverse portfolio features over 150 member experiences across the State, each with their own special insights and stories of an ancient lifestyle."