NSW Aboriginal Visitor Experience Accelerator

About

Destination NSW is leading a collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Create NSW to deliver the NSW Aboriginal Visitor Experience Accelerator (AVEA). This $3.6 million initiative is co-funded by the NSW Government and Federal National Indigenous Australians Agency, under the Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects fund, to stimulate and strengthen the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in the Visitor Economy.

The NSW Aboriginal Visitor Experience Accelerator will identify gaps and opportunities in experience delivery and capability and support Aboriginal experience providers through tourism capability-building, job skills, key industry event support and access, and arts-based experience development funding.

Aligning with NSW Government’s strategies including the Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 and Creative Communities Policy, this cross-government collaboration uplifts Aboriginal cultural tourism by empowering Aboriginal people and communities to access a range of initiatives.

Initiatives

The NSW Aboriginal Visitor Experience Accelerator will deliver seven projects initiatives in 2026 and 2027.

Research: Aboriginal Experiences & Events in NSW 

Destination NSW research will uncover the depth and diversity of the Aboriginal tourism offering in NSW, and explore opportunities for culturally sustainable development aligned to community needs.

Aboriginal Online Booking Capability

Destination NSW is partnering with Bookable Tourism to provide free mentoring and support for up to 30 Aboriginal experience providers. Participants will receive hands-on support to set up online booking software and sell their experiences to visitors on their own website and through online travel platforms.

National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) sponsorship

Destination NSW is a proud sponsor of the National Indigenous Art Fair, positioning Sydney as an Aboriginal cultural hubwhile showcasing the Aboriginalartists, performers and food producers from across NSW.

Aboriginal Trade Event Support

Destination NSW will help export-ready NSW Aboriginal experience providers to attend key international travel trade events through funded participation.

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference Support

Destination NSW is sponsoring NSW-based Aboriginal experience providers to attend the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference in 2026, building capability and connection to help grow their businesses and networks.

NSW Cultural Tour Program Expansion 

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service will expand its Aboriginal Cultural Tour Expansion Project statewide through the implementation of a best practice model. A key stage of the model includes the delivery of the Aboriginal Tour Guide Pathway Training Program supporting pathways to further training and employment opportunities in the Tourism sector.

Aboriginal Cultural Arts Tourism Fund

Create NSW funding will support First Nations artists, organisations and communities to deliver creative arts and cultural visitor experiences in NSW.