Palm Island is home to the Traditional Owners, the Manbarra people, and to the Bwgcolman people and their descendants. Visitors have shown interest in the island, but there have been few experiences to welcome them, and the community has understandable concerns about tourism.
Working with TRC Tourism, episteme helped Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council develop a Tourism Master Plan. Its vision is to deliver enriching visitor experiences that contribute to the wellbeing of the community, including supporting locally owned and operated businesses.
The plan’s guiding principles say tourism must deliver a future for young people, start small and build skills, and protect culture, stories and Country. The plan prioritises walking tracks, cultural experiences, events and eco-accommodation on a nearby island, so that visitor activity can happen outside residential areas. It also proposes a Tourism Advisory Council and a council business unit to support local people starting tourism enterprises.