Telling Territorians to holiday in the NT is not enough, says tourism industry, as new campaign sparks further calls for incentive scheme
THE NT’s tourism and hospitality sectors have welcomed the Government’s Time To Be A Territorian campaign, but it is what comes next that matters most to them.
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THE NT’s tourism and hospitality sectors have welcomed the Government’s Time To Be A Territorian campaign, but it is what comes next that matters most to them.
Incentives for Territorians to spend are still high on their wishlist.
Hospitality NT chief executive officer Alex Bruce said anything that encouraged locals to get out and enjoy their backyard was a good thing.
“The government is right that every dollar spent in a local business will circulate through the local economy, that’s why what comes next is so important,” Mr Bruce said.
“Government still needs to be considering some form of incentive scheme to give people a reason to part with their money.
“The thinking is no different to the Home Improvement Scheme.
“Look at what the Darwin City Council is doing through its hospitality industry scheme. It is a great multiplier.”
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Tourism Minister Lauren Moss said she was working on what comes next.
“This intra-Territory campaign is the first step in a planned marketing approach that will be launched in stages as further restrictions are eased,” she said.
“In conjunction with our Tourism NT Board, and advice from the Tourism Rebound Taskforce, we are working on what comes next.”
Mr Bruce, who spent the weekend away in the Darwin backyard of Batchelor and Litchfield National Park, said the industry supported any other incentives the NT Government could bring forward.
“We like that the government has picked up on stay and dine out and so on … anything that can encourage Territorians to do some tourist activity in their backyard will have a benefit and knock-on for hospitality,” he said.
“Voucher incentives could encourage people to visit a tourist attraction and probably stop somewhere to enjoy a meal along the way.”
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Chamber of Commerce NT CEO Greg Ireland said he also supported the Time To Be A Territorian campaign, but also felt more was needed.
“I’m sure people where they can will support local business, but I think locals are very cautious with their spending at the moment,” he said.
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