A new contingent of Indigenous hospitality graduates recognised by Queensland tourism businesses has graduated from the National Indigenous Training Academy's program at Voyage's Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Tropical North Queensland.

The 2024 National Indigenous Training Academy's (NITA) graduation celebrations took place on Saturday at Hughie's in Mossman, with Douglas Shire mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre general manager Rachael Hodges, joining trainees, graduates and attending families.

Participating graduates completed a nationally accredited Certificate III in Hospitality, which included work placements at resorts in Port Douglas, and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. Many graduates have already received job offers from their placement companies, including Aaliyah Nandy at MGCC, Yavaleagh Paii at Ramada Resort, and Lindsay Callope at Niramya Villas and Spa, Port Douglas.

NITA provides young Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders the opportunity to live, learn and earn in a work environment while achieving hospitality and tourism qualifications at Voyages' Mossman Gorge and Ayers Rock (Uluru) Resort sites.

Voyages is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) established to undertake tourism business on its behalf. Voyages works closely with local communities, respecting Indigenous culture and Country while providing employment, training and economic opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Both Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre are EcoTourism and Respecting our Culture certified.

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre is a world-class ecotourism destination and gateway to the Daintree Rainforest. Its Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk - a guided rainforest walk connecting visitors to local Kuku Yalanji culture – has remained a renowned "must do" for visitors to Tropical North Queensland.

Mossman Gorge's Indigenous employment figures are now among the highest in the industry, at over 60 per cent, with many NITA graduates among its staff.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said: "Our graduates have bright futures in tourism ahead, and we're proud of what they have achieved on their NITA journey at Mossman Gorge. This year we'll celebrate our 700th NITA graduate, testament to the strong demand for the program from trainees, employers and the wider industry – with all groups reaping the benefits of shared Indigenous culture, knowledge and skills."

2023 NITA Graduate turned Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk Tour Guide, Trevayne Pearce also appeared as a guest speaker at this year's ceremony. Sharing how he went to paticipating in the program to working at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre as a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk Tour Guide.

"NITA was a place of support, a way to better focus on myself; it took me out of a really difficult spot and it made me grow. Throughout my journey at NITA everyone's been really supportive and they feel like family I'll never forget. With all their support I've been able to become the person that I am today," he said.

"Now that I'm a tour guide at Mossman Gorge I love teaching new people every day about culture and learning about their culture in return. It's taught me that we're not actually too far from one another – that even though we may be different, we're still all the same."

Mayor Scomazzon also shared her thoughts on the program and it's growing success.

"I would like to congratulate the graduates for completing their traineeship with NITA. Over the years, the program has provided a springboard for young Indigenous people to find jobs in tourism and hospitality and I am sure this will also be the case for the latest round of graduates," she said.

"Regardless of whether they find work at a Port Douglas resort or with a tourism operator elsewhere, Council will always be proud their employment journey began with NITA at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre."

The 2024 graduation also follows the release of new Tourism Australia statistics, which show a 22 per cent increase in domestic travellers choosing an Indigenous tourism experience since 2019.

With the continuation of educational programs similar to NITA and the assistance of Voyages promoting and offering unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia, these statistics are set to climb.

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