Our purpose

Welcome to Country is a not for profit organisation whose purpose is to address employment and economic outcomes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.  We have chosen to focus on the tourism industry as a means to deliver employment and business creation. 

Why tourism?

The simple answer, it is one of the few industries in which jobs and economic outcomes could be achieved wherever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are located – from the biggest of cities to the remotest of locations. But equally it allows people to stay connected with culture and for communities to thrive.

 Why book with us?  

Every purchase that you make helps us deliver on our purpose. You are not only buying an amazing experience; you are helping to increase the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economy and create jobs.

Our history

When we set out on this journey, we were looking for ways in which the collective skills of a group of passionate Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people could be applied to amplify outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.  Largely this skills set was centred in a deep knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and entrepreneurial skills. 

Initially established as a project of First Australians Capital Limited (a registered charity) with financial support from Indigenous Capital Limited and a private philanthropic family the project explored ideas that would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait entrepreneurs and business to be established and grow.  The core of this was an online platform called Start Your Own Business. 

Through a discovery workshop supported by Westpac, the idea was refined and eventually it was agreed that one of the greatest opportunities was within the tourism sector and that the project should refocus on building a marketplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences.

 A Closer Look at Welcome to Country