On the final day of a highly successful 2026 Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference in Boorloo / Perth, the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) has announced New South Wales as the host state for the Conference 2028.
NSW is 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 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.
The 2026 Conference was a hit, with hundreds gathering - including First Nations representatives from around the world - to share insights, experience and wisdom on Indigenous tourism.
WAITOC Chief Executive Officer, Robert Taylor, noted AITC 2026 was "an opportunity for Aboriginal tourism operators from across Australia to connect, share knowledge, and build partnerships that create lasting economic and cultural benefits".
"Hosting the conference in Perth allows Western Australia to showcase the strength, diversity, and quality of Aboriginal-led visitor experiences while ensuring Aboriginal voices remain at the centre of the industry's growth," he said.
WA Premier and Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, Roger Cook, said on Thursday the 2026 Conference has been "an important opportunity to showcase the strength of Aboriginal tourism and the incredible experiences being developed across Western Australia".
"My government wants to see Aboriginal tourism continue to grow, creating local jobs, and supporting businesses while helping Aboriginal communities share their culture on their own terms and sustain cultural practices for future generations," he said.
WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch noted that "Aboriginal leadership, economic participation, and community development are vital to the long-term prosperity of Western Australia".
"The relationships and opportunities created through events like this help drive sustainable economic growth, support Aboriginal entrepreneurship, and deliver lasting cultural and community benefits across our State," he said.
Mr 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," he said.
"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 Aboriginal Tourism Council Chairperson Dwayne Bannon-Harrison said it will be "an honour... 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," he said.
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," he said.
Mr 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," he said.
"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.
