Alice Springs business plead for help after $2.2m worth of bookings cancelled

Alice Springs’ tourism sector is on its knees after millions of bookings were cancelled when the curfew was announced. Read what happened.

The Alice Springs curfew has had a devastating impact on the region’s tourism industry, with an estimated $2.2 million in bookings to the town cancelled during the past fortnight.

Tourism Central Australia chairman Patrick Bedford said the situation facing tourism operators in the town is dire, and called on the Territory and Federal governments to deliver industry support to businesses still recovering from the pandemic.

Since the curfew was called on March 27, two days out from the traditional Easter start of the Centralian tourist season, Mr Bedford estimated he had cancellations totalling about $30,000 so far – and this doesn’t include people who may have been planning to visit but were scared away by reports of violence.

Opening night at Parrtjima 2023. Picture: Che Chorley

Mr Bedford, who operates Emu Run Experience and the Alice Lodge, as well as his position with Tourism Central Australia, said the curfew had made Alice Springs one of the safest towns in Australia and called for the government to retain the strong police presence.

He said that should be among a suite of measures including enhancing the voucher scheme, increasing the duration of popular festivals like Parrtjima, which begins on Friday, and an economic recovery package for the region.

“Alice is one of the safest places in the country right now,” Mr Bedford said.

“We can’t police our way out of this but having the police presence we’ve had over the last couple of weeks shows what’s achievable.

“We want sustained police numbers for when the curfew ends. The government can’t just pull resources and go back to the same number of police as we had before the curfew. We need to sustain police numbers whether they’re from South Australia, Federal Police or Queensland.

“We also need an economic recovery package put in place to bring new infrastructure and new experiences on line. There needs to be a federal economic package, but to do that need to make place safe.”

Tourism Central Australia chairman Patrick Bedford

Alice Springs business association Todd Mall Traders have written to Chief Minister Eva Lawler requesting assistance to help recoup lost earnings as a result of the violence and anti-social behaviour that have hit the town during recent years.

President of Todd Mall Traders and owner of This Is Aboriginal Art Venita Poblocki said the impact on local tourism of the national media exposure was the equivalent to the business-killing impacts of Covid-19.

She said the cancellations had seen activity for business operators fall as low as 30 per cent of normal trade, which was devastating financially. Two businesses in Todd Mall, a clothes shop and an adult shop, are on the market and more could follow.

“We’ve had back-to-back years of no trade, no tourism and the Government hasn’t kept us safe,” Ms Poblocki said.

“We’ve been asking since 2023 to stamp out social disturbance, they haven’t and it has escalated and businesses are closing. The only time this lack of business has been mirrored was during Covid.

“A package needs to be developed that keeps the town alive for locals, but also to attract tourism, which is the key industry in the town.”

Alice Tourism April 2024 Venita Poblocki

The Territory Government has responded to the pleas for help, announcing it will extend its 25 per cent voucher scheme for Central Australia and the Barkly.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the Territory Tourism Discount Scheme would be extended for holiday experiences in the Central Australia and Barkly regions to support tourism operators in Alice Springs, Yulara and Tennant Creek.

The scheme, which launched in late February, provides 25 per cent off the price of tourism and hospitality packages across the Territory up to a maximum value of $5000, if they are booked through visitor information centres.

The popular discounts will be extended to 30 June 2024, for select experiences and holidays booked through Visitor Information Centres in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Yulara.

“The Territory Labor Government is backing in the tourism industry in Central Australia by extending the Territory Tourism Discount Scheme until the end of June,” Ms Lawler said.

“Tourism brings billions into the NT economy and employs thousands of Territorians, so I encourage everyone to get behind our fantastic operators and book an experience in the Territory’s Red Centre.”

Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she would also represent local businesses seeking support from Canberra.

“We can’t just let people fall down,” she said.