Congratulations to WAITOC CEO and WINTA Secretariat Johnny Edmonds, who was appointed as the Chair of the National Indigenous Tourism Task Force (NITTF) last month.
The NITTF operates under the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and seeks to drive an industry-wide effort to both encourage Indigenous people to make a career in tourism, as well as to facilitate the development and growth of ‘Indigenous tourism experiences’ owned and managed by indigenous tourism professionals.
Johnny brings considerable experience and insight into the Indigenous tourism domain, and we wish him well in his new role.
Year End Update from WINT
We are happy to report that our Sami friends have gathered up all their reindeer, the world did not end with the end of the 13th Bak'tun Mayan Calender, and that 2012 shall be remembered as a pivotal year for WINTA.
We have come a long way from our inception back in March at the PAITOC conference in Darwin (Australia), with the signing of the ATTA partnership agreement in August; hosting our first global Indigenous Tourism Forum in Lucerne, Switzerland (October); and the adoption of the Larrakia Declaration by PATA, with further acknowledgement and support from the UNWTO and ATEC.
We thank everyone who has been involved for all your hard work and look forward to a very exciting year ahead. May 2013 be full of adventure and good spirits for everyone!