Tourism and Hospitality

The iconic crocodile-shaped hotel is located in Jabiru, situated in one of only a handful of UNESCO World Heritage Listed National Parks, a location with deep cultural and natural significance. The original investment in 1999 was a joint venture between Gagudju Association and IBA, currently 100% owned by an IBA subsidiary. The hotel has consistently provided Indigenous outcomes, from employment to contracting Indigenous suppliers, and returning regular income to investors over the period held. The hotel features the wonderful Ochre Art Gallery, conference facilities and multi-purpose meetings rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a restaurant and bar enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

The Cooinda Lodge, located in Kakadu National Park approximately three hours from Darwin, is a joint venture between the Gagudju Association and IBA. It has a variety of accommodation and revenue streams, including cruises on the Yellow Water Billabong, a journey through the region’s spectacular wetlands. As well as the tours, the asset generates income from 48 lodge rooms and over 400 camp sites, a retail outlet and a petrol station. With peak employment numbers at approximately 100, the lodge consistently employs around 20 local Indigenous people. The Warradjan Cultural Centre, just 1 kilometre from the lodge, was developed by the Traditional Owners and displays artefacts and stories of the local Bininj people

These assets were purchased in 2009 in partnership with Larrakia Development Corporation and the Toga Group. IBA subsequently bought out Larrakia Development Corporation to enable them to pursue other investment opportunities. Following a concerted effort to improve the Indigenous employment outcomes from this investment, the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront and Adina Apartment Hotels Darwin Waterfront now have in place a number of strategies to attract and retain Indigenous staff, including providing cultural competency training for all staff, establishing employment targets and fast-tracking Indigenous employees through internal training programs so that they can take up duty and general management positions sooner.

In 2014 IBA transferred part ownership to Wunan Foundation, an East Kimberley Indigenous organisation based in Kununurra, WA.

The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association Inc and IBA bought the Wilpena Pound Resort in early 2012. Since then, the proportion of its staff who are local Indigenous people has increased from zero to approximately 60 per cent.

The resort is a 60 room four-star resort located in the Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia, five hours drive from Adelaide. To broaden its market appeal, the resort developed the Ikara Safari Camp, consisting of a central facility and fifteen upscale safari tents. The camp opened in June 2014. In addition, the resort provides accommodation through its site campground which provides more than 350 sites, of which 46 sites are powered. Other sources of revenue within the Resort include aircraft tours, four-wheel drive tours, the sale of food and beverages, and services provided by a visitors centre. IBA and the Traditional Owners are working closely with management to provide training and employment opportunities for local Indigenous people.