Territory clash a tourism booster

THE dry season is the perfect time to escape the dreary southern winter and the AFL match has put the Top End on the map.

It is hoped the hundreds of thousands of people tuning in on the television for the Crows and Demons game will be inspired to head north.

The Territory Governmentsupported clash between top of the table Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons was expected to reach a national television audience of 600,000 people, providing a great boost for the tourism industry and local jobs.

Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said she was thrilled the game of the round was played in Darwin.

She said the sellout match and TV audience would put the NT on the map.

“We continue to invest in bringing top-class sporting events to the NT because they attract visitors from across Australia and provide an important boost to the Territory lifestyle, which is so important in keeping people living in the NT,” Ms Moss said.

She said a number of interstate fans were expected to make the journey north.

“The response from the Territory and interstate fans has been fantastic,” she said.

“The Adelaide Crows have even had to charter an additional flight to carry fans.”

The NT Government has invested $1.6 million a year to bring premiership AFL games to Darwin and Alice Springs.

“The huge interest in this game demonstrates that it is a great investment,” she said.

Peter Hobbs, who travelled from Adelaide with his wife, Judy, to watch the game, said it was the lure of dry season weather, their love for the Crows, and the chance to add on an exciting holiday which enticed them to the Territory.

“We are heading on a trip to Kakadu next week and are having a great time,” he said.