Media release from the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council:

  • New South Wales will host the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) 2028 for the first time, welcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism. operators, industry leaders, government and tourism partners from across Australia.
  • AITC is Australia's leading national Indigenous tourism conference, bringing the sector together to share knowledge, build partnerships and showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences.
  • The NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, will partner with WAITOC for the 13th AITC event to support the planning and delivery of AITC 2028.
  • Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport adds a new gateway into NSW, strengthening access to Western Sydney and creating new opportunities for the NSW visitor economy.
  • Further details, including AITC 2028 dates, venue and program, will be announced in due course.

The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) is delighted to announce New South Wales as the host state for the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) in 2028, with NSW set to welcome Aboriginal tourism operators, industry leaders, government representatives and tourism partners from across Australia.

The host state announcement was made at the conclusion of AITC 2026 in Perth on Thursday, marking the next chapter for Australia's leading national Aboriginal tourism conference. WAITOC formally selected New South Wales following a host destination process.

AITC brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism businesses and the broader tourism industry to share knowledge, build partnerships, showcase culture and experiences, and create new opportunities for Indigenous tourism businesses.

WAITOC Chief Executive Officer, Robert Taylor, said bringing AITC to New South Wales for the first time represented an exciting opportunity for the national Indigenous tourism sector.

"We are incredibly excited to announce New South Wales as the host of AITC 2028. This will be the first time AITC has been held in NSW, and it presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strength, diversity and quality of Aboriginal tourism experiences across the state."

"AITC has always been about bringing our industry together, creating genuine opportunities for Aboriginal tourism businesses and strengthening the connections between operators, government and the wider tourism industry. Taking the conference to Sydney in 2028 gives us another powerful platform to do exactly that."

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the NSW Government is committed to supporting the growth of Aboriginal tourism, with 1.2 million visitors to the state participating in an Aboriginal tourism experience last year.
"Hosting AITC 2028 in Sydney will put NSW at the centre of important conversations shaping the future of Aboriginal tourism, while reinforcing our reputation as a premier destination for major business events.

"Aboriginal tourism is an important part of delivering the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, helping us achieve our ambition to grow visitor expenditure to $91 billion, create jobs and support communities across the state.

"With the Western Sydney International Airport opening new doors to the world, there has never been a better time to showcase NSW's world-class tourism offering and the rich Aboriginal cultural experiences that make our state so unique."

Dwayne Bannon-Harrison, Chair - NSW Aboriginal Tourism Council added “What an honour it is to be hosting AITC in 2028 on Gadigal Country. We look forward to showcasing the rich cultural experiences of the Traditional Custodians and welcoming you all to the Sunrise State.”

New South Wales's bid highlighted the state's growing investment in Aboriginal tourism, together with Sydney's domestic and international connectivity, event infrastructure and its position as a gateway to Aboriginal tourism experiences throughout metropolitan and regional NSW.

It also comes at an exciting time for the state, following the opening of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in October 2026. The new airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing additional domestic and international connections and a new gateway to Western Sydney and NSW.

Mr Robert Taylor said the conference would also provide an important opportunity to strengthen the profile of Aboriginal tourism operators in NSW and support greater collaboration across the sector.

"There are incredible Aboriginal-led experiences across New South Wales, and we want AITC 2028 to help put those businesses and their stories firmly in the national spotlight."

"We’re looking forward to working closely with Destination NSW, the NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council and Aboriginal tourism operators across the state to create a conference that delivers real value and leaves a meaningful legacy well beyond 2028.”

Destination NSW has committed to working with WAITOC and local partners on the planning and delivery of AITC 2028, including opportunities to showcase Aboriginal-led visitor experiences across Sydney and regional New South Wales.