More tourism incentive vouchers, roadhouse upgrades on the way

The Gunner Government has committed $10 million for an extension of the extremely popular tourism voucher and interstate incentive schemes in today’s budget.

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The tourism and hospitality sectors have been granted their wish with $10 million being committed to Wet Season incentive schemes to encourage Territorians to holiday at home and more interstate tourists to visit.

The industry made a Budget eve appeal to the Chief Minister to provide further funding for what proved to be the most successful low season campaign ever run in the Territory.

Funding has also been allocated to the equally successful Road House to Recovery scheme intended to support the drive market customer experience, which the industry has supported.

As previously announced a $2 million critical worker support package will go towards free training in responsible service of alcohol, housekeeping and tour guiding and English literacy training for hospitality and tourism workers.

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It can also be used to provide payment of up to $1500 to a local business to help cover costs associated with attracting new employees.

The 2021 Budget provides:

• $5 million for tourism vouchers in the wet season.

• $5 million for interstate incentive schemes.
• $4 million Roadhouse to Recovery scheme.
• $5.9 million per annum in new funding for focused marketing and business industry support programs.
• $1 million in 2021-22 and then $2m ongoing for the Business Event Support fund.
• $1 million in new funds to market the Red Centre.

The 2021 Budget also has $202.8 million set aside for new and upgraded infrastructure.

This is:

• $66.2 million to progress the National Aboriginal Art Gallery and National Indigenous Culture Centre in Alice Springs.
• $40 million to upgrade transport and infrastructure in Territory national parks.
• $20 million for new art galleries, display areas and studio upgrades as part of the Arts Trail Gallery.

Event tourism has been given $23.8 million this financial year to support festivals and events such as BASSINTHEGRASS, the Supercars and the RedCentreNATS.