The World Indigenous Tourism Summit 2023 brought the life, richness and colour of First Peoples' cultures from around the globe to Perth last week.

The Summit brought together friends and allies from diverse parts of the tourism industry, with many travelling from all parts of Australia and the world.

The summit ran for four days, with the first day kicked off by a Welcome to Country from Noongar Elder Walter McGuire, showcasing the importance of hospitality, cultural knowledge and the close relationship with sacred Mother Earth.

Australian film and TV legend Ernie Dingo hosted parts of the event and there was also a special performance from Taiwan's tribal representatives.

In attendance were Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism interests, academics, government representatives, and youth.

With International speakers and delegates from Sweden (Sami), Canada, Taiwan and New Zealand also sharing their broad knowledge and experience to the audiences.

Discussions included subjects such as the role Indigenous values and wisdom can play in building tourism for the future, the importance of hearing and learning from the First Nations people, and keeping the culture rich and nurtured, with strong values of respect, generosity, hospitality and age-old wisdom.

The conference also focussed on the importance of supporting Indigenous rights and building a kind of tourism better equipped to survive in the future.

Nurturing a growing awareness of the need to unite and engage in the equitable development of Indigenous economies was also a key subject.

From sharing their own tourism business journey, delegates learned more about the timeless, universal values that make Indigenous tourism unique.

The 2024 World Indigenous Tourism Summit will be held in Taiwan.