Call for NT Government to offer interstate tourists Territory travel incentive deals

THE loss of Victorian tourists through border closures reinforces the need for NT Government incentive packages to attract interstate holiday makers, Territory tourism figures say

Visitors take in the sunset view of Uluru ... Territory tourism figures say the Gunner Government should offer incentive packages to attract interstate holiday makers back to the NT. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams

DARWIN tourism stalwart Michael Anthony says the loss of Victorian tourists because of coronavirus border closures reinforces the need for the Territory government to have incentive packages to attract interstate holiday makers.

Mr Anthony said his Ramada Suites Zen Quarter four-star hotel had been doing better than most with about 75 per cent occupancy, but he had grave concerns for the industry as a whole.

Mr Anthony applauded the NT Government for its tourism voucher scheme, which saw Territorians snap up 26,000 stimulus vouchers in less than 10 hours.

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“This is rock-solid proof that a voucher scheme or holiday travel incentive packages would work to attract interstate tourists to the Territory,” he said.

“Twenty-six thousand Territorians jumped at the $200 carrot that was dangled in front of them to holiday here … Interstate holiday-makers need such a carrot to guarantee the Territory is front of mind to come for a holiday.”

Mr Anthony said local tourism was working together to encourage Territorians to spend with them and they would do the same to get interstate tourists here.

“We need to get the tourists here and the government needs to make it happen with the airlines and a smart scheme,” he said.

“We as operators could look at something like pay for two and get three or pay for four nights get five nights to encourage people to stay longer.

“If we do two for three, combine it with a Darwin stay and a Kakadu or Katherine stay, travellers can enjoy multiple destinations.

“We can work with restaurants and tourist attractions to offer dining and excursion incentives. But the government needs to help lure them on the planes with something like a buy one seat get the second seat free deal.”

Tourism Top End general manager Glen Hingley said the NT Government’s tourism voucher scheme was an outstanding success.

“It was a great marketing investment and money very well spent,” he said.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said the ongoing pandemic meant governments would have to look at injecting more money to help the industry.

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A government spokeswoman said they would continue to support the NT tourism industry as needed.