5000 tourists to miss Darwin if cruise ship ban remains

THE tourism industry is up in arms because Darwin is about to lose up to 5000 tourists because they aren't allowed to embark or disembark from small expedition ships in Darwin

THE Top End tourism industry is up in arms because Darwin is about to lose jobs and up to 5000 Australian tourists, who have already booked their Top End experience, because they will not be able to embark or disembark from small expedition ships in Darwin.

NT Health has banned the small Australian-owned companies specialising in smallgroup adventure travel experiences, which will only carry Australian passengers and Australian crew, from coming to Darwin.

The ban applies to Coral Expeditions, Aurora expeditions and aptouring.

The industry is incensed because 100 per cent of the travellers are Australian.

Expedition cruises, like Coral Expeditions, will be banned in the NT over COVID fears. Picture: Supplied

The expedition companies have strict and comprehensive management plans.

Unlike aircraft/ hotel/ tour operators, the Australian expedition ships have all crew and guests screened throughout the process leading up to boarding, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. They also have a doctor aboard.

The ships contribute millions to the local economy each season and with three ships scheduled for 21 visits there would be a ship in Darwin port every week Thursday and Friday.

“Imagine the local spending power these 5000 Australians will deliver in Darwin in retail, dining, accommodation, and touring in the two to four nights they typically spend prior to or post their time on the small ship,” an angry industry member told the NT News.

“These Australian travellers are spending more than $1000 per person to be on board these luxury small expedition ships.

“Typically these customers spend a great deal on dining, Aboriginal art and accommodation … while enjoying all other aspects that the Top End offers.

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“These expedition cruise ships are being discriminated against when you compare the Ghan which carries four times their capacity and is allowed to operate into Alice Springs and Darwin.

“They have permission to operate in Australia, but the Territory government has banned them from docking in the Territory.”

Health and Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles said she understood the Chief Health Officer was in the process of finalising a new direction that would provide clarity for the resumption of expedition cruising in NT waters.

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“The government supports the expedition cruise industry to restart when the time is right,” she said.

“Our first priority is the safety of Territorians and the successful COVID vaccine rollout.”