Territorians’ multimillion-dollar incentive to explore their own backyard

TERRITORIANS have been handed a multimillion-dollar incentive to explore their backyards with hopes it will help keep the NT’s devastated tourism industry keep afloat until the borders reopen

Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park ... Territorians have been handed a multimillion-dollar incentive to explore their own backyards. Picture: Tourism NT/Emilie Ristevski

TERRITORIANS have been handed a multimillion-dollar incentive to explore their backyards with hopes it will help keep the NT’s devastated tourism industry keep afloat until the borders reopen.

The NT Government on Thursday announced a $5.2 million tourism voucher scheme that will give Territorians a $200 voucher to use on tourism experiences around the jurisdiction.

It comes after a three-month NT News campaign to introduce a voucher scheme.

It will officially open on July 1, Territory Day, and is backed by a $200,000 marketing campaign dubbed “Never have I ever”.

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Coronavirus restrictions, particularly border closures, have devastated the NT’s $2.4 billion tourism industry with fears many operators may not survive the pandemic-induced recession.

Tourism Rebound Taskforce chairman Michael Bridge said pushing intra-territory tourism, which accounts for just under a third of the industry’s revenue, was the “first stage” of helping the sector reach sustainability.

The next step will be to revive domestic tourism, though the border reopening date remains uncertain.

The final step is international tourism.

The vouchers are worth up to $200, matched dollar for dollar with personal spend, and can be put towards a tourism experience like tours, accommodation, hire cars or recreational fishing charters.

If a voucher isn’t fully redeemed, the remainder gets flushed back into the funding pot and turned into more vouchers.

Any Territorian aged 18 or over, who can prove they live in the NT, can apply.

This means adults in one household could register for a voucher each and pool them.

Sunrise at Uluru ... Territorians have been handed a multimillion-dollar incentive to explore their own backyards. Picture: Tourism Australia

The vouchers must be redeemed on products available through the Visitor Information Centres in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

Bookings can be done over the phone, online or in person.

Territorians must redeem their voucher within 30 days of receiving one, though the booking can be for any time before October 31.

Hospitality venues will also be able to benefit by packaging their offerings with a tourism product such as a “Stay and Meal” deal.

Mr Bridge said “all the rules” around tourism had changed due to the pandemic, making it almost impossible for the industry to predict demand.

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“We don’t quite understand how many people have used up their annual leave, their long service leave or are looking at their superannuation balance and questioning that decision to travel,” he said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner confirmed the $5.2 million for the scheme would come from within Tourism NT’s budget.

“Every dollar spent in the Territory helps save a Territory job. So when you spend a dollar, we’ll spend a dollar too. That will help support as many jobs as possible,” he said.

Tourism Top End chief executive Glen Hingley said the scheme would go a “small way” to making up for lost revenue.

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“But I’d also ask that Territorians spend as they travel,” he said.

“It’s not just book now and get there, it’s this concept of travel with an empty Esky, because there are little retail stores, hospitality, wayside inns that are all in desperate need of the support of Territorians.”