Bookabees’ “Brilliant Blend” takes out back to back wins
What do you get when you take an in-depth knowledge of Indigenous culture, a passion for teaching and the courage to combine the two into a touring company?
The answer is an award-winning formula for Bookabee Tours Australia.
Bookabee has been named South Australia’s Top Indigenous Tour Company for the second year running at the prestigious South Australian Tourism Awards.
And the SA award comes hot on the heels of the fledgling company taking accolades as Travelling in Australia Magazine’s Best National Indigenous Experience 2008.
Haydyn Bromley says the award is a reward for the hard work that he and partner Lele have put into building the company, and confirmation that Bookabee Tours is on the right track.
“We started Bookabee three years ago, with two goals in mind,” Haydyn says.
“The first was to preserve Adnyamathanha culture by sharing the knowledge and teachings of our elders.”
“We want to give others an understanding of the value of caring for land and preserving our stories and practices.”
“The second reason was that as a former teacher this proved to be a natural progression where I could continue sharing knowledge.”
“The only difference is that my classroom is now our land and my pupils are the tour guests that come for the experience.”
Haydyn says the award win is a clear sign that they have hit the right market at the right time and that the passion they have for their job is acknowledged and appreciated.
Bookabee offers a range of two-day to seven-day tours highlighting the best of what’s on offer in the Flinders Ranges, Clare Valley and the Outback.
A new tour brings Coober Pedy and surrounds into the mix with a day along the famous Oodnadatta Track.
For those with time constraints there are also two-hour guided walking tours in and around the city and half-day and full day tours to near country locations.
So far this year, more than 400 guests have enjoyed the Bookabee experience.
That represents a 35 per cent increase on last years’ numbers.
“Our predominant target market, the international traveller is really coming on board,” Haydyn said.
“We have seen a significant growth during 2008-2009 season and have had a 60 per cent increase in international wholesale contracts to deliver Aboriginal and Outback experiences to international inbound experience seekers.”
Bookabee’s biggest markets are the UK, USA, Germany and Europe and the company has seen an increase in tours from countries like Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark.
They also cater for domestic travellers who are looking for quality, genuine Aboriginal culture and knowledge experiences.
“We highlight not only the big tourism points of interest, but the cultural knowledge that can only be shared by an Aboriginal person with local connections and knowledge of the area,” Haydyn says.
“Things like important local sites and those that are not accessible to the general public and mainstream tourism operators.
“This gives Bookabee a discernable point of difference from other operators that value adds to the tourism experience through anecdotes and local knowledge.”
Bookabee now goes into the running for the National Tourism Awards
Awards to be decided in Melbourne in February, 2009.
For more information, High Res Images or detailed tour itineraries contact:
Haydyn Bromley: Director Bookabee Australia Pty Ltd
Hope you enjoyed this blog as much as we enjoyed winning the award...
cheers
Haydyn Bromley :-)
Walking along in the Flinders Ranges, it's easy to get a little blase as you admire the rolling hills, the magnificent scenery and the spectacular wildlife. But, you can't help but count your lucky stars when you look down and spy an echidna ambling along the side of the walking track. This one caught the sharp eye of Iteka, one of the children who was on the bushwalk.
Gently picking up the echidna (having had extensive experience in doing this, definitely not something I would recommend to a novice, attempting to pick up an echidna could result in injury to the animal or yourself), I pointed out its unique features to my tour guests such as its back feet and the way the tail is hidden cleverly within the array of quils that protrude from its body.
Seeing echidnas isn't an every-day event especially here in the Flinders Ranges. Despite having lived in and around the Flinders Ranges for most of my life, i still get excited when my path convergeses with such special animals. Echidnas are monotremes (egg laying mammals), the only other being the Platypus. It is important that we do as much as we can to assist in preserving the environment of the Echidna. Eradication of predators that threaten them such as feral cats and dogs, and stopping the destruction of their natural environment are crucial to their existance. we all have a roll to play for these uniquely Australian animals, you are wither part of the solution or part of the cause. Be the former....
