Chief vows tourist flood

THE Northern Territory Government says its new cash splash tourist stimulus will bring an extra 53,000 visitors to the NT over the next two years.

It is the first time the government has revealed its predicted number of boots on the ground but Opposition Leader Gary Higgins has labelled it “very optimistic”.

THE Territory Government says its new cash splash tourist stimulus will bring an extra 53,000 visitors to the NT over the next two years.

It is the first time the government has revealed its predicted number of boots on the ground but Opposition Leader Gary Higgins has labelled it “very optimistic”.

“The lead time from marketing spend converting to actual visitation is usually 18 months, particularly if in international markets,” he said.

Mr Higgins said tourism was vital to the NT economy and local jobs.

“Putting in place a longterm plan that will work, to drive private investment and dollars from tourists is imperative,” he said.

As part of the Gunner Government’s $103 million tourism stimulus package, $1.9 million will be invested to market Darwin and the NT as the pilgrimage destination for Australian military history.

Garry Gallagher, from Bombing of Darwin WWII Heritage Tours, welcomed the marketing investment — but said local tourism providers continued to miss out.

“There’s not enough being done to engage the local businesses,” he said.

Mr Gallagher said at big events, a large percentage of interstate and overseas visitors used prearranged tours — and ignored Territory providers.

“There seems to be a little bit of a disconnect with the tourists and the local operators. It’s the local operators that know the city — it’s the operators that are dealing with people on a day-to-day basis.”

The tourism focus comes in the lead-up to tomorrow’s commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin service. Tourists and dignitaries from around the world are travelling to the Top End to pay their respects.

Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said military history was a drawcard and Darwin had an incredible story to tell. Darwin’s Bombing of Darwin Day commemorative service begins tomorrow from 9.30am at the Cenotaph.

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