China Reaching South to bring Darwin council back across the ocean

DARWIN Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis could be set for another China jaunt next month, with council to decide on approval of Mr Vatskalis’s travel plans on Tuesday

Kon Vatskalis could be off to China in October, with a delegation of up to five people for the Reaching South program.

DARWIN Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis could be set for another China jaunt next month, with council to decide on approval of Mr Vatskalis’s travel plans on Tuesday.

The trip, which will be made in line with the Reaching South delegation program would see Mr Vatskalis travel to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Haikou, all cities council staff have visited in the past 12 months, as well as Qingdao from October 16 to October 27

The Reaching South delegation will see the Lord Mayor accompanied by members from NT Government Departments and business entities including Darwin International Airport.

Darwin manager international business relations Josh Sattler said their were plenty of benefits to the delegation, which would cost about $20,000 for a party of five.

“The Reaching South Program will leverage further opportunities to progress outcomes from previous meetings in these cities, to establish a friendship city relationship with Guangzhou Municipal Government, Qingdao Municipal Government and Shenzhen Municipal Government to enhance the business opportunities by leveraging the direct flight service from Shenzhen to Darwin,” he said.

“(It will also) Enhance economic development and trade activities through the proposed itinerary and work to attract investment and cultural activities by promoting Darwin as a

destination to live and visit.”

Based on the outcomes from the last two delegations, the current return on investment exceeds by 21 times the cost the overseas travel, with the last two delegations costing about $35,000 while the return value came to $780,800 according to council, coming from TV media, subsequent business delegations to Darwin, public relations and networking value the target markets.

However that value was calculated based on what would be the actual cost of media, including TV and other media, if it had have been engaged in the market.

The party would include Lord Mr Vatskalis, Mr Sattler, partial attendance from chief executive Scott Waters and possibly a community member and an elected member.