Skip to main content

Australia Day: ‘Tourism must not shy away from the abuse of indigenous people’

Destinations
Brad Bennetts
26 January 2023

Today (26 January) is Australia Day. Being an Australian-owned and run company that employs and works closely with many Aboriginal people and businesses, we’ve long been championing conversations about the growing discomfort that surrounds this national holiday, internally, with our partners and the wider industry.

First Nations communities argue Australia Day on 26 January should not be a time to celebrate (Image credit: Graham Werner)

It is incredibly important to explore the role that tourism has to play in raising awareness of the abuse that indigenous communities have been subjected to and continue to suffer, and, crucially, how we can contribute to meaningful and sustainable change that will improve the lives of those impacted.   
 
That Australia Day falls on 26 January and marks the anniversary of the British invasion and subsequent persecution of the Aboriginal people is the source of much controversy. Campaigns for the date to be changed so that the national celebrations can be inclusive for all build momentum each year.