COVID-19 stay-at-home factor driving best Wet season trade in years for Top End hospitality businesses

TOP End hospitality businesses are having their best Wet season in about five years with many trading at levels normally only seen during the Dry

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TOP End hospitality businesses are having their best Wet season in about five years with many trading at levels normally only seen during the Dry.

It comes as Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce says the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for the Top End to become seen as a year-round travel destination instead of one only for the Dry.

Mr Bruce said both accommodation providers and cafes, restaurants and bars were reporting a significant uptick in business compared to the past few years, thanks to an influx of interstaters holidaying in the relatively COVID-free NT and more locals staying due to travel restrictions.

“For hotels in the city, occupancy is up for this time of year, and bars and restaurants are reporting two to three times more regular sales for this time of year, which puts them in the ballpark of busy dry season nights,” he said.

Hot Tamale staff members Katherine Vazquez and Storm Chiverton. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“For the last two or three weeks, busy nights at some venues have been three times as busy as the same night the year before, and a slow night has been twice what it was last year.

“And from November, we saw the end-of-year office Christmas parties in all the restaurants and pubs … and it was the strongest in four to five years.

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“It is real, and I think going forward this can really do a lot to break the mould that we’re only a dry season location and help Darwin redefine itself as a place to go year-round.”

Hilton Darwin front office manager Maurizio Del Ben said the hotel had recorded above-average occupancy so far this wet season, largely due to locals using their Territory Tourism Vouchers, and had been completely booked out on New Year’s Eve.

“In November and December our occupancy was higher than usual, and we still have lots of bookings that have come through for the month of January,” he said.

“Generally it has been a busier wet season than in previous years, and occupancy has been above the forecast planned.

“I think January will be busier as well.”

Mitchell St in Darwin was abuzz on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Che Chorley

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Natasha Fyles said tourism businesses had experienced increased uptake during what was usually a lower period through the pandemic, and noted the government’s Summer on Sale campaign to encourage interstate tourists to visit the Territory was ongoing.

“The Northern Territory offers incredible tourism opportunities year round,” she said.

A Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade spokeswoman said there had been a shift in consumer travel patterns due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and Tourism NT was working to showcase the opportunities on offer in the Territory through social media.

Darwin NYE fireworks (above): Vision by Che Chorley

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It comes as numerous venues in Darwin experienced their busiest New Year’s Eve in years on Thursday.

Hot Tamale general manager Anneliese Grazioli said it had been the business’ best New Year’s Eve ever.

“We usually sell out a few days in advance, but this year we sold out two and a half weeks in advance,” she said.

“We would have had about 700 people there.”

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The Precinct venue manager Steve Searles said the Waterfront tavern had also seen a huge turnout.

“It was a record (New Year’s Eve) day for us, so we’re very pleased,” he said.

“The place was jam-packed … we would have had easily over 1000 people, and there was no trouble whatsoever.

“It exceeded our expectations if anything.”