Tourism Too Deadly Makes A Big Impact With Students

July 2009

Tourism Too Deadly

Local Indigenous students from schools over the North Queensland region were shown how just how exciting a career in tourism can be at the Tourism Too Deadly booth created by tourism  pioneers Don and Judy Freeman at last week’s careers expo at Fred Moule Pavillion. 

Judy Freeman said the cutting edge booth design and funky hats added excitement to the picture of tourism presented to the young people.

“It was a tremendously successful presentation. We invited the young people to ‘put themselves in the picture’ and meet real life role models of Indigenous people working in tourism.  It was an exciting, vibrant vibe and they responded by coming into the booth in their hundreds,” said Judy Freeman.

Students from Djarragun College

The booth was the first part of an Indigenous jobs initiative helmed Don & Judy Freeman, which hopes for a bigger Indigenous representation in staffing levels across all tourism businesses by boosting awareness of the benefits of tourism careers to the region’s Indigenous students.

The project is an initiative of Tourism Queensland under the Tropical North Queensland federal support package which was announced by tourism minister Martin Ferguson in January 2009.

“The final directive of the funding support package was to encourage the participation of Indigenous people in tourism jobs.  It’s imperative that tourism is seen as an exciting career choice for young Indigenous Australians as they are the future,” said Judy Freeman. “Tourism remains an excellent career as it is a field where they can showcase their culture and see first hand how people outside their country appreciate and value it.”

Industry in Cut-outs

The Freeman’s next task following on from their Careers Expo ‘Tourism Too Deadly’ booth will be to initiate a tourism familiarization program for selected students from Cape York and The Torres Strait Islands, who, with local students will be exposed to what the tourism industry is about and what it can offer.

Judy Freeman said there are many benefits to tourism businesses for employing Indigenous staff.

“Firstly, it mirrors the Closing the Gap national Indigenous strategy as creating more tourism jobs is a real way towards self empowerment for Indigenous people,” said Judy Freeman.

“Secondly, research shows visitors look forward to contact with Indigenous people as part of the cultural experience of visiting Australia.  Meeting visitor expectations is the key to operating a successful tourism business. There’s never been a better time to reach out and encourage our local Aboriginal and Islander youths to aspire to a career in tourism,” she said.