Reflections Holiday Parks has launched a Reconciliation Action Plan to help build cultural connections between visitors and local indigenous communities.
Reflections, a NSW Crown Land manager, cares for 43 nature reserves and operates 36 holiday parks on 12 Aboriginal nations. They include Jimmys Beach, Hawks Nest and Lake Glenbawn.
Under the plan, Reflections will develop opportunities for cultural expression and celebration while delivering social, cultural, and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
"Each year we welcome 2 million guests from Australia and abroad, and we have the chance to introduce them to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and protect that for future generations," Reflections' chief executive Nick Baker said.
Reflections' Aboriginal engagement officer and Githabul Bundjalung woman Cheryl Newton is establishing relationships with traditional custodians to develop cultural immersion and tourism experiences.
Outcomes will include partnerships with Aboriginal communities and Native Title Holders to create commercial and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Ms Newton said the project would help guide other Crown Land Managers to partner with Aboriginal people under a pilot program between Reflections and Crown Lands.
"Our cultures are rich and deep with Aboriginal histories as is our land, and The Dreaming set out the structures of how we care for this land," Ms Newton said.
"Today we still go by these structures. We still, and always will, nurture this land."
Reflections is the only holiday park group in NSW that is certified as a social enterprise. Profits are invested back into parks and reserves that are managed on behalf of the community.
