The Territory Labor Government has announced a $2 million Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan to minimise the impact to our tourism industry from the Australian Bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak and maintain the momentum in attracting more visitors to the NT.
The Plan will see funding directed to targeted tourism marketing and industry initiatives to help make a difference.
The Australian tourism industry is facing an unprecedented situation as a result of the Australian Bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak, a declared public health emergency of international concern.
This has been a difficult time globally and both of these tragic events are seeing significantly altered travel plans for potential visitors, directly impacting the Territory’s tourism industry.
The Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan will incorporate four new programs:
1. Industry Program:
Targeted business support from consultants for affected NT tourism businesses.
An additional grant round for the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program (VEEP) with funding available for ‘new’ visitor experiences.
Complimentary industry tickets to the Tourism 2030 Conference in Darwin and Alice Springs to assist businesses to stay abreast of trends and impacts affecting tourism.
An increased Education Tourism Rebate Incentive from $1,000 to $3,000 for any trips booked for September 2020 to March 2021.
2. A new Partnership Program with free tourist partnership activities with Activate Darwin and Hospitality NT, Alice Springs Town Council and other local organisations to target the drive market.
3. Doubling the incentive offered through the NT Business Event Support Fund to $200 per delegate for eligible applications received by 31 May 2020 for events staged by 30 June 2021.
4. A boost to Tourism NT’s Domestic Marketing Program through the ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign, partnering with Tourism Australia and offering a range of discounted advertising opportunities for NT operators.
As stated by Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Eva Lawler:
“Tourism is a lifeblood for the Territory – that’s why we’ve made an unprecedented Turbocharging Tourism investment of $165.8 million over four years to drive visitation to the NT which has seen significant results for our economy, jobs and the tourism industry.
“Our tourism industry supports 17,100 direct and indirect jobs and thousands of small to medium local businesses. Our Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan aims to maintain the strong momentum we have seen over the last few years, encouraging visitors to the NT as soon as possible.
“We cannot underestimate the national and international impact of both the Australian Bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak on lives, livelihoods, wildlife and local communities, which is having a significant impact on people’s travel plans and our local tourism industry.
“This is a global issue and we are acting now to support the industry by redirecting immediate funding and activities towards Tourism NT’s national and regional ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign and partnering with Tourism Australia.
