Mismanagement claims at Ayers Rock Resort hurting industry image

A DISPUTE over the management of Ayers Rock Resort is hurting its reputation, Australia's tourism boss warns.

Dining under the Outback sky is one of the experiences on offer at the Ayers Rock Resort.

AN ONGOING dispute over the management of one of Australia's best known tourist resorts is distracting and unhelpful for Australian tourism, the head of the country's peak tourism body says.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said claims of mismanagement at the Ayers Rock Resort were damaging the reputation of one of the country's very best indigenous tourism attractions.

"Having worked very practically with the resort's management in key international markets, we know the image and experience at Uluru has improved markedly and the numbers are following," he said.

"The fact that they have taken indigenous employment from zero to over 200 has been a key factor in that growth, as has the physical improvement in the facility - most notably the conference facilities."

Mr McEvoy was responding to reports that the head of the Indigenous Land Corporation had called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to launch an inquiry into the purchase of the Ayers Rock Resort by her own organisation.

ILC chairwoman Dawn Casey said the organisation's $320 million purchase of the resort had left it with debts of $200 million, while the resort's value has also recently been reduced to about $250 million.

It follows a recent Deloitte report that raised questions about the 2010 purchase of the five-hotel resort, according to Fairfax Media.

Mr McEvoy said Uluru, the Ayers Rock Resort and local indigenous tourism experiences were vital to both domestic and international Australian tourism.

"Visitors to our country are looking for genuine Indigenous attractions and experiences, provided by Aboriginal Australians - and that is what Ayers Rock Resort does so well," he said.

"For me, the resort is an exemplary example of indigenous tourism at its best - offering daily free guest activities, indigenous employment and even a National Indigenous Training Academy."