Cairns: Tjapukai closes as COVID-19 puts nail in coffin of struggling tourism business

Staff at one of the Far North’s most prominent tourism providers have been told the devastating news that it is shutting down after a third of a century.

STAFF at one of the city’s most prominent tourism providers have been told the devastating news that it is shutting down after a third of a century.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park moved into its expansive Smithfield premises since 1996 but previously operated from Kuranda.

It was already in financial strife before COVID-19 hit, but the complete removal of international tourists has proved to be its death warrant.

Tjapukai director Cronje Wolvaardt told the Cairns Post staff were informed on Thursday that the business would not be reopening.

Tjapukai dance troop performing traditional dances and demonstrate how to start a fire with a fire stick. Ginlare Tamulevicirte from Lithuania watches on as Warrick Newbury gets a fire started after creating hot embers with a fire stick. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

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“The reason for that is the fact that we’ve obviously been facing significant financial challenges for many years,” he said.

“That’s been exacerbated with COVID-19.

“Most of our visitation was from international tourists … (and) that market has decreased significantly, down more than 99 per cent.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had to make the decision not to reopen.”

Mr Wolvaardt said Indigenous and non-indigenous staff would be offered support.

Tjapukai has been in its current premises since 1996. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“Obviously, we’ve looked at the various options to continue the business but none of those have been feasible,” he said.

“The business has injected more than $40 million into the local economy over the years and has always been a very strong employer of Indigenous employees.

“We are working with traditional owners regarding what the future use of the site will be.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the industry’s thoughts were with the staff of Tjapukai.

The business will not be reopening even when favourable market conditions return. Picture: Marc McCormack

“This will be a really difficult time for the staff both past and present who have made an enormous contribution to showcasing Indigenous tourism over the past 33 years,” he said.

“The closure of Tjapukai is a great loss to the tourism industry as it is a foundation product that set the benchmark for Indigenous cultural tourism experiences in Australia.”

TTNQ chairman Ken Chapman said it was a tough decision, but an understandable one with the uncertainty around international and domestic tourism.

The Tjapukai dancers perform to a full house during the open day at the closing ceremony for Naidoc Week. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

“This demonstrates just how hard it is for businesses that are successful in the international market to continue trading,” he said.

“It also reinforces why tourism businesses need ongoing support to tackle the challenges ahead.”

MORE FROM DIRECTOR CRONJE WOLVAARDT

The closure of Tjapukai wasn’t a decision made lightly or quickly.

We have been seeing declining patronage for many years. Tjapukai has considered various options to continue to revitalise and grow the operations, however the business has continued to remain marginal in the face of a challenging tourism market.

COVID-19 has compounded these economic challenges, as it has for many industries and sectors.

The $13 million redevelopment of Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park was officially opened by The Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove. Tjapukai performers complete a traditional dance as part of the opening. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Tjapukai has successfully showcased the Djabugay culture to more than three million visitors over its 33 year history, contributing more than $40 million to the local community in wages, royalties and the purchase and commissioning of art and artefacts.

Throughout its history Tjapukai has been a strong employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, consistently achieving over 65 per cent Indigenous employment.

The Tjapukai dance troop performs traditional dances and demonstrates how to start a fire with a fire stick. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

We are proud of the history of Tjapukai, which is seen as an icon of Indigenous tourism in Far North Queensland and has contributed so much to the sector.

Tjapukai is supporting its employees through this difficult time and remains committed to assisting all employees with comprehensive career transition support, including training, mentoring and the provision of post placement services with the assistance of a local service provider.

Tjapukai will work with the Traditional Owners regarding the future of the site.

Originally published as Cairns: Tjapukai closes as COVID-19 puts nail in coffin of struggling tourism business