Indigenous involvement and benefits from tourism in protected areas: a study of Purnululu National Park and Warmun Community, Australia

For many protected areas, sharing benefits with local indigenous communities is an important management requirement. This paper explores indigenous involvement in and benefits from tourism, using a study of Australia'sWorld Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and the nearby Warmun Aboriginal Community. Interactions between the Community, the Park and tourism were explored using semi-structured interviews. The results illuminate an ongoing cultural connection to the Park providing indigenous people with intrinsic, non-financial benefits. Significant financial benefits are possible through art sales to tourists but are currently limited. Physical difficulties in visiting the Park, issues related to skills, resources and motivation, and problems with joint management all contribute to this limited benefit accrual, as well as fostering a sense of separation from the Park. The findings have broader relevance to efforts elsewhere to engage indigenous people in meaningful ways in the benefits accruable from protected areas and associated tourism. Identifying and further enhancing intrinsic benefits and addressing perceptions of separation are promising areas for attention as part of efforts to progress sustainable tourism. The paper also raises the important fact that some indigenous people may not wish to engage in tourism and that underengagement may be a part of the achievement of sustainable tourism.