Darwin ready to turn on the hospitality for interstate visitors as borders reopen

DARWIN’S tourism and hospitality sector is raring to go with the opening of the Territory’s borders to ­interstate holiday-makers today.

Christina Abdoo from the Deck Bar in Darwin is looking forward to welcoming interstate arrivals. Picture: Che Chorley

• Interstate travellers abuzz ahead of NT borders reopening

DARWIN’S tourism and hospitality sector is raring to go with the opening of the Territory’s borders to ­interstate holiday-makers today.

Hospitality NT’s Alex Bruce said while it had been a long wait the industry was ready to welcome new arrivals.

“We have our COVID plans in place,” Mr Bruce said.

“Our venues are safe and ready to welcome fellow Australians alongside our great local customers.

“The decisions taken over the past week regarding ­Victoria and Greater Sydney mean Territorians should continue to feel confident to get out and about and on with their lives.

“It has come at a significant cost — Victoria and NSW are our two largest domestic tourist markets.”

Mr Bruce said some operators have reported losing upwards of 50 per cent of their forward bookings over the past fortnight.

“We continue to support measures that are targeted at specific risk as opposed to blanket and complete border closures and industry lockdowns.”

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Pub and restaurant owner Jason Hanna echoed similar sentiments.

“Having strict COVID plans in place is going to be essential,” he said.

“For everyone’s sake they must be adhered to.

“My venues are ready and we’re looking forward to the coming days and weeks.

“However as I said sticking to the requirements of the COVID plans has to be a must.”

Virgin Airlines reported its first flight into Darwin from Brisbane with open borders is a sell out.

“We have the first flight to land from an origin that accepts travellers without quarantine. and its completely sold out,” a delighted spokesman for company said.

“The flight lands at 1.45pm.

“This is an extremely popular route at present with our load factors sitting at 85 per cent inbound for the next few weeks

“We will operate three weekly Brisbane — Darwin services from this new point.

“They are Monday, Wednesday, Friday.”

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It’s good news for Virgin, which is embroiled in a takeover battle.

Rogue bondholders have made a last-minute bid to steal ownership of the airline from American investment giant Bain Capital.

The bondholders represented by Singapore’s Broad Peak ­Investment Advisers and Hong Kong’s Tor Investment Management will present their plan for the carrier at a meeting of creditors on ­August 22.