To pass over operational control of the Uluru resort and the attraction in Far North Queensland, Journey Beyond will buy the ILSC’s shares in Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
The land and buildings of the two assets are to be transferred to their local Indigenous communities, with Journey Beyond paying them rent.
There has been “extensive consultation” with local Indigenous communities – Anangu in Central Australia and Kuku Yalanji in North Queensland – prior to the sale arrangement, with support from representatives of both groups.
“Today’s agreement is the culmination of years of work and engagement with Community to find a new operational owner for Voyages to facilitate the divestment of land to Community and ensure a bright future for Voyages and the local Indigenous communities of Yulara and Mossman Gorge,” said ILSC CEO, Joe Morrison.
“Journey Beyond is a leading Australian tourism operator and logical owner of Voyages.
“From the outset, the ILSC’s focus has been on maximising indigenous benefit. Through the agreement announced today and the ancillary transaction documents, we will see more than $500 million in benefit flowing to First Nations Community.
“We are pleased to move closer to fulfilling the ILSC’s statutory obligations of returning land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and in doing so, create benefit for Traditional Owners at both Yulara and Mossman Gorge, as well as Indigenous people at local, regional, and national levels.”
Voyages’ current management team is to stay in place after Journey Beyond takes over operational ownership of Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. Journey Beyond will have a 90 year lease in Central Australia and a 10 year lease at Mossman Gorge.
Journey Beyond already operates several iconic Australian visitor experiences, including train journey The Ghan and Monarto Safari Resort in regional South Australia.
“Journey Beyond is thrilled to be working with ILSC, Anangu of Yulara, Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge and the Voyages team,” said Journey Beyond CEO, Chris Tallent.
“This marks an exciting expansion and perfectly aligns with Journey Beyond’s central purpose of creating amazing iconic experiences, that are immersive, authentic and uniquely Australian.
“Journey Beyond has extensive and genuine experience of positively working with Indigenous communities across Australia, including in the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land and Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
“We are committed to supporting the ongoing development of the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) which provides training, development and employment pathways to grow the local Indigenous workforce not only in Central Australia but across all our brands.“
Meanwhile Voyages’ CEO, Matt Cameron-Smith said the acquisition will “open up significant opportunities for the business, our guests, our communities and for our people”.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built, and we’re excited about what comes next.
“This partnership allows us to grow our footprint while staying true to our foundations – delivering world class cultural tourism experiences in partnership with the communities we work with.”
