Chief Minister encourages Aussie tourists to visit the NT instead of Bali

NT CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner wants the one million Aussies who go to Bali each year to consider coming to Darwin instead.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner wants the one million Aussies who go to Bali each year to consider coming to Darwin instead. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NT CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner wants the one million Aussies who go to Bali each year to consider coming to Darwin instead.

In a speech to the Property Council today, Mr Gunner said it would be one way to make up for the 300,000 international tourists who wouldn’t come to Darwin this year.

The Government launched a new tourism campaign at the weekend titled ‘The Territory is the Answer”, aimed at people with travel credits and Aussies who had overseas plans derailed by COVID-19.

“Starting from July 17 (when borders open), we’re going to convert those 300,000 foreign tourists into Aussie visitors to the Territory,” Mr Gunner said.

“We can do this. Remember: every year, six million Aussies go overseas, where they spend $20 billion, more than our entire nation makes from tourism.

“But, for the foreseeable future, those same Aussies will be unable – or reluctant – to go overseas.

“So, we’re going to make up the foreign shortfall by getting more Aussies here.

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“As restrictions lift, we have the competitive tourism advantage, right here.

“You won’t take a sunset ride on a camel in Bourke St.

“ You won’t see a croc in Pitt St. You won’t catch a barra in Rundle Mall.

“You can’t buy direct from a Tiwi artist in Hay St.

“And if you can’t go to Bali, come to Darwin.”

Last year, two million tourists visited the Territory, 1.7 million were domestic and 300,000 were international.

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Mr Gunner said the devastation of COVID-19 offered an opportunity to turn a once-in-a-generation crisis into a once-in-a-generation comeback.

“(This year) has been bloody tough for our NT tourism. You’ve seen how we’ve activated more than $5 million in vouchers to help our local operators,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep going.”