More incentives will be key to attracting interstate tourists to the NT

NEW figures laying bare the precarious state of the NT’s tourism industry reinforce that the NT Government will have to expand its incentive scheme thinking to include domestic tourists.

Tourists cool off at a waterfall in Litchfield National Park. Picture: Tourism NT

THE precarious state of the Northern Territory’s tourism industry has been laid bare, with latest Tourism Research Australia data revealing domestic tourism revenue down 33 per cent and international revenue down a whopping 70 per cent.

The figures are comparing March this year with March 2019 and they reinforce several important things.

Firstly, and most importantly, the NT Government will have to expand its incentive scheme thinking to include domestic tourists.

An advertising campaign alone will simply not cut it.

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Australia’s tourism industry is in a world of pain because of coronavirus. Every state is chasing our customers and they will be throwing plenty at getting them.

Yes, we are having the best weather in Australia. Yes, we are the safest place in Australia. But we will need to give travellers more reasons than that to come.

The Government’s 20,000 local tourism incentive vouchers were snapped up in less than 12 hours because people want a bargain.

Interstate tourists are no different. Give them the right deal and they will come.

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The other important thing the grim tourism figures reveal is that Territorians have a critical role to play in keeping our tourism industry alive.

Those that have the NT government vouchers should spend as much as they can afford to support tourism and hospitality sectors.

Get out and enjoy the wonderful Northern Territory.