Build-Up? What Build-Up? Interstate travellers flood into the Territory in good signs for Wet season tourism
TERRITORY tourism operators are bracing for a bumper Wet season with 50,000 interstate arrivals entering the NT in a month since the official start of the Top End’s Build-Up period
Northern Territory
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TERRITORY tourism operators are bracing for a bumper Wet season with 50,000 interstate arrivals entering the NT in a month since the official start of the Top End’s Build-Up period.
Australian holiday-makers are looking to new domestic destinations with overseas travel off the cards until at least 2021.
The Northern Territory’s domestic arrival numbers are showing promising signs of returning to at least average levels as the Wet season begins.
The number of interstate travellers coming into the Territory rose last month despite the onset of the Build-Up – which officially begins on October 1 — with more than 50,000 total arrivals in October, up from 46,000 in September.
That 50,000 number compares to about 60,000 interstate arrivals for the same time last year.
But it must be remembered that the NT was effectively off limits to all Victorian residents for the whole month of October (residents of regional Victoria were allowed to enter the Territory again without having to undergo mandatory quarantine from November 2).
That meant about 6.5 million people did not have the option to visit in October, as they did for the same time last year.
Also, the state of Western Australia maintained its “hard border” controls throughout October, meaning another 2.8 million people also did not have a realistic option to visit the NT for the same month.
Western Australia plans to scrap its hard border and replace it with a “controlled border” next week, on November 14.
Tourism Top End general manager Glen Hingley said he expected interstate arrival numbers to pick up as the festive season approached and residents in places like Melbourne and WA started to travel again.
Queenslanders made up about 17 per cent of travellers who came to the NT last month (8637), while 14 per cent were from South Australia (7083) and 10 per cent from New South Wales (5143).
Sydney tourists Jenia and Shane Stephanov are embarking on a Build Up holiday of their own after arriving in Darwin on Wednesday.
“We desperately wanted to get away, and it was either the Territory or South Australia, so we chose the former,” Ms Stephanov said.
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“We don’t mind the heat at all; it’s no worse than going to Singapore this time of year.
“Can’t wait to spend the next few days fishing and head out to Litchfield Park as well.”
Mr Hingley said the Northern Territory needed to step away from the misconception that there’s nothing for tourists to do here during the wet season.
“I’m confident that we’ll see some more visitors coming through this Christmas because there’s still a lot to do here in the NT even during the Wet,” he said.
“There’s a pent-up demand of people to get out of the city and out into the open spaces.”
Tourism operators are also expected to see some added activity this Wet as Territorians start using their $200 round two tourism vouchers.
More than 12,000 vouchers were snapped up within just a few hours after registrations opened on Monday night.
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Chief Minister Michael Gunner has previously urged Territorians to stay home this Christmas and encourage their relatives and friends to come to the NT.
“My advice to every Territorian is that you can stay here in the Territory. You’re safe here, don’t go,” Mr Gunner said.
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