NT Tourism develops plan to counter coronavirus fears

FEAR of the unknown from the deadly coronavirus could scuttle the plans of tourists who were planning to travel to the Territory in the looming peak tourist season.

Fear of the unknown from the deadly coronavirus could scuttle the plans of tourists who were planning to travel to the Territory in the looming peak tourist season.

FEAR of the unknown from the deadly coronavirus could scuttle the plans of tourists who were planning to travel to the Territory in the looming peak tourist season.

Deputy chief executive officer of the NT Department of Tourism Andrew Hopper told the NT News a multifaceted plan is being enacted to try to head-off a major hit to tourism.

He said the challenge for all jurisdictions would be to convince people to travel rather than cancel their plans over coronavirus fears.

“There has been a history of that in other circumstances, whether that be SARS or other things,” he said.

“I saw New Zealand airlines had a $9 domestic airfare which suggests airlines are working hard to generate a demand, which as we know the Qantas group announced some changes as a result of softening loads.

“The holiday-here activity this year is as relevant during the bushfires as it is during the coronavirus.

“There is absolute concern that people are going to travel less, but how that materialised is an unknown. As far as airlines it certainly appears there has been a decrease in demand.”

Mr Hopper said the Territory was going to have to work harder than ever before in the face of reports that more than 12.6 million Aussies are expected to visit bushfire-affected regions in 2020.

“This is a very challenging set of circumstances,” Mr Hopper said. “The eastern seaboard markets have lost the Chinese market and are looking to see who they can attract which is further competition for the Territory and the battle for the domestic market will be as fierce as ever. We are up against fierce competition from the fire ravaged areas which is understandable.

“We will be working hard to bring people here and we’d love the help of Territorians to encourage their friends and relatives to come and visit them here this year.”

Darwin International Airport boss Ian Kew said that with the impending drop-off in the international travel market now was the time to focus on the domestic tourist market.

“We should redirect international marketing funds to a domestic campaign (that) is destinational and combines festivals and events,” Mr Kew said. “Competition for the domestic market is going to be fierce and now is not the time to shy away from it.

“We have the weather and we have the events. Our campaign has to convince the domestic market to come.”