Tourism Central Australia calls for Indigenous business recovery as grants open

The head of Central Australia tourism is calling for the federal and Territory governments to throw the sector a multimillion-dollar lifeline, saying new grants of up to $30,000 are not enough.

Tourism Central Australia’s head is calling for the Territory and federal governments to treat tourism recovery with the same urgency as they have alcohol, crime and social issues.

TCA chief executive Danial Rochford said a jointly-funded recovery package in the “10s of millions of dollars” was needed to rebuild the sector, following national and international attention on the embattled town.

It comes as the NT government opens a $200,000 grant program for Aboriginal-owned tourism initiatives.

Individual businesses and organisations can apply to receive between $10,000 and $30,000.

Watarrka National Park is one of Central Australia’s most visited tourism destinations. Picture: Tourism NT/Jess Caldwell & Luke Riddle

The money is to go towards feasibility studies and business planning, through the use of professional services.

Mr Rochford said while the grants were “warmly welcomed”, they would not go far enough in saving the region’s unique cultural experiences.

“There needs to be a co-ordinated strategy on Indigenous economic empowerment, similar to how the government has focused on social issues,” he said.

“It is absolutely critical we get behind our Indigenous tourism businesses and this needs to be super charged, especially given the issues we’ve been facing.

Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford is calling for a jointly-funded tourism recovery effort in the 10s of millions of dollars. Picture: Matthew Thompson

“Our industry is in distress, having come out of two years Covid and straight into this.

“We’re seeing businesses closing down, cancellations … our mall looks like a war zone.

“Our brand has been immeasurably damaged.”

Aboriginal Tourism Committee chairman Paul Ah Chee Ngala said the grant program was just one part of the Territory government’s Aboriginal Tourism Strategy 2020-2030.

“This program is designed to foster the development of sustainable and prosperous Aboriginal tourism enterprises across the NT through shoring up the business foundations with sound business planning, feasibility studies and ensuring security of land tenure,” he said.

Aboriginal Tourism Committee chairman Paul Ah Chee Ngala said the grants would help develop sustainable Aboriginal tourism initiatives. Picture: Brierty Justin

“The success of this program will ultimately see more cultural tourism experiences available to visitors and importantly deliver positive economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal communities.”

Tourism and Hopsitality Minister Nicole Manison said the strategy aimed to cement the Territory as the “undeniable Australian leader” in the Aboriginal tourism sector by the decade’s end.

“We know visitors travel to the Territory for unique Aboriginal cultural experiences, and a strong and supported sector will lead to well-paying local jobs right across the Northern Territory,” she said.

Applications for the grants close April 28 or or earlier if the funding is fully allocated.

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Originally published as Tourism Central Australia calls for Indigenous business recovery as grants open