OUR SHINING LIGHT
Nitmiluk named NT’s best tourist attraction at industry’s night of nights
KATHERINE is celebrating its tourism excellence with Nitmiluk National Park again being named the Territory’s best Major Tourist Attraction.
The park took the award out for the second year running at last night’s Territory tourism industry night of nights, the Brolga Awards, in Alice Springs.
Making it a double act, the Jawoyn Association, joint management partners of the majestic park, took home the night’s highest honour, the Tourism Minister’s Perpetual Trophy.
And adding to the Nitmiluk success story, Nitmiluk Tours has taken home the Chairman’s Choice award for Tourism Excellence and Nitmiluk’s Cicada Lodge and Cicada Restaurant added to their list of awards with the Luxury Accommodation award and Tourism Restaurants and catering Services Award.
Other Katherine successes were Marksie’s Stockman’s Camp Tucker Night which was awarded the Department of Trade, Business & Innovation Business Growth Award and Tom Curtain’s Katherine Outback Experience which won the Tourist Attractions award.
The Darwin Festival made it two in a row winning the Major Festivals and Events award with its 2018 festival.
The Rotary Henley on Todd regatta won the Festival and Events category.
Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said the 2019 Brolga Awards’ highest honour this year could not be more deserving.
“The Jawoyn Association continues to strive for excellence and innovation, sharing their culture with visitors to the Katherine region,” Ms Moss said. “The Jawoyn are an outstanding example of local people managing their lands, protecting their culture and delivering sustainable Aboriginal tourism in a way that will benefit generations to come.
“The Territory’s great attractions, tours, unique experiences and culture would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our local industry.
“It’s wonderful to see the passion and excellence shown by our tourism operators and an honour to congratulate all the winners and finalists in the 2019 NT Brolga Awards.”
She said 2019 has been a significant year for tourism in the Northern Territory.
“The Territory Government has made considerable investment into tourism marketing and visitor enhancement projects, particularly in our parks through Turbocharging Tourism,” she said.
“We’ve made these investments because when you boost the tourism experience you attract more people to the Territory and create more jobs for Territorians.”