NT government unveils $12.8m package to revive international tourism

Leaders of tourism in Central Australia have welcomed the Territory Government’s financial support to a sector in trouble.

THE Central Australian tourism industry has welcomed the Territory Government’s $12.8m support for the region’s Covid-ravaged international travel and labour markets.

Speaking Monday on Mix FM’s Katie Woolf program, Tourism Central Australia chief executive Danial Rochford said the support is welcome and a necessary response after months of lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccine passports.

“We certainly welcome all investment in the tourism, hospitality and events sectors,” he said. “Our industry has been on its knees and we’ve faced down certainly our darkest days.

“We need our Government to start to be proactive in international marketing, to tell the world the Northern Territory is open for business.

“This news and the committed funds is good news and it’s great to hear the Government has listened.”

In addition to tourism marketing, Mr Rochford also welcomed measures to attract international workers to the Territory.

“As we speak the central Australian region alone needs over 1000 staff to get ready for the upcoming tourism season.

“We welcome the re-energising of the Government’s Work-Stay-Play program also the proactive initiative to encourage working holiday makers is going to be great.

“We also welcome the work being done by the Federal Government through the working holiday maker programs.

“We’re trying to put Central Australia back on the map to visitors and hopefully we’ll see the results of that later this year. It takes many months for international marketing to deliver.”

Mr Rochford said Federal and Territory Government’s now need to cast an eye to the long-term and commit to and complete the National Aboriginal Art Gallery and the Mereenie Loop.

He said despite the monumental industry upheaval in recent years, there is still optimism a turnaround is not far away.

“From what I’m hearing from operators it’s looking like a solid season ahead.,” he said.

“Bookings are looking good so hopefully come April and Easter we’ll be there. There’s some great events in Central Australia and there’s no better time for folk from the Top End to come visit us in Central Australia.”

Included in the Government’ s assistance package is a $3m international tourism campaign and $2.6m to attract overseas workers.

$12.8m spend to turbocharge Territory tourism

THE NT government will spend a whopping $12.8m on reviving the decimated overseas travel and labour markets.

With borders opening to the world in a week’s time, the NT News can reveal Chief Minister Michael Gunner will unveil on Monday a number of measures aimed at getting backpackers, tourists and skilled migrants back into the Territory.

The largest measure will be a $3m tourism campaign aimed at international markets, featuring partnerships with major airlines.

Another $2.6m will be spent in the next two months to lure around 2000 tourism and hospitality workers to the Territory. The funds will be spent on advertising interstate and overseas.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has given the tourism industry a … shot in the arm. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Work, Stay, Play scheme will be relaunched, providing $1500 per worker in industries experiencing critical skill shortages. Another $1.35m will be dedicated to increasing the NT’s skilled migration capacity.

The NT’s Global Worker Attraction Program will be re-energised with a $1.5m investment.

Small Business, Jobs and Training Minister Paul Kirby said the initiatives would help “deliver much-needed workers into the Territory”.

“Businesses right across the Top End have been looking forward to welcoming back tourists, working holiday-makers and overseas workers,” Mr Kirby said.

“This package turbocharges all this for them in time for the dry season.”

Mr Kirby said the biggest benefit would be in the aged care, hospitality and agriculture sectors.

Mr Gunner said the measures showed the government was “backing Territory businesses with the workers they need”.

“We need to gear up for the mass return of international travellers – especially while we connect direct to London,” Mr Gunner said.

Tourism NT chairman Michael Bridge welcomed the funding but said it would “take time to rebuild our international markets”.

“Gearing up for the Territory’s peak season is more crucial this year than any in our history,” he said. “The investment from the Northern Territory government will be welcomed by the tourism and hospitality sector.”