Need the right tools to bring your business to life, but not sure where to begin? At TRC we deliver more than just a plan on paper – we work with you to design the right pathway and join you on the business journey.
Recently, we worked together with the Malbak Aboriginal Corporation, which oversees the Marlkawo Homeland, to develop a Tourism Business, Marketing and Operations Plan for Anwarrbarr Tours, a new Aboriginal-led venture.
Situated in the remote East Arnhem Land Stone Country, Anwarrbarr Tours will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to connect with the Country, culture, and the traditional ways of life of families living at the Marlkawo Homeland. The business aims to share the area’s rich cultural heritage while also providing opportunities for local people to live and work at the homeland through job creation, sharing culture and staying connected to Country.
Our journey first began with a visit to the Marlkawo Homeland. A spectacular 45 minute flight from Jabiru in Kakadu National Park, flying across the Arnhem Land Escarpment and Plateau, towering rock formations, rivers and floodplains and cascading waterfalls. Here, we met the community, were traditionally welcomed to Country, we learned about their values and sat down to listen and map the tourism vision pathway.
‘Our family welcomes visitors to our homeland, to our Country. Our Fathers and Grandfathers wanted tourism on our homelands. Tourism allows us to follow and practice what our Elders taught us, to remember our fathers and to give this to the next generation to continue. With tourism on our homelands, we can make more places for family to live and look after the visitors and give our children a future on their Country.’
To bring the vision to life, we needed more than just a plan filled with actions. We needed a tourism business identity, a brand, promotional materials and clear stages and steps that could be achieved within the next 12 months, two years and beyond. We needed to prepare the right tools to gain cultural, community and legislative approvals, attract ‘buy in’ and investment, and excite potential partners and future visitors.
We workshopped the right tourism business name that honoured Ancestors and Country, designed the logo story and brand personality and produced a range of marketing assets including a flyer, business card, website and promotional video. With these ‘real’ assets, Anwarrbarr Tours was born and Marlkawo families can now start sharing their story with the world.
Malbak Aboriginal Corporation is now walking a clear pathway towards tourism development, with the first tours planned for launch in 2026. By following the steps in their business plan, Marlkawo have registered their tourism business name, started connecting with the right partners, promoting their tours to visitors and attracting business funding and support. They have begun their journey of business development and growth, testing and building products, strengthening capacity, selling to the right markets, gaining the right approvals and support.
We can’t wait to see where Anwarrbarr Tours journey leads and we look forward to walking with them on their business pathway in the future.
And if you are looking for an unforgettable, authentic cultural immersion in remote Arnhem Land – check out the website and promotional video for yourself.
