Big tourism plans a must for Fyles

THE coronavirus pandemic has jettisoned the NT’s tourism industry into an economic pit of incredible depths, so it is heartening to see backpackers flocking back into the Territory after months of Mitchell St being unusually quiet.

But this is a small consolation knowing the traditional peak tourism season for the Territory has ended, and as the Wet sets in in the Top End and Central Australia heats up to temperatures only the well-seasoned can handle, the industry is bunkering down for a painful low season.

Tourism Central Australia boss Patrick Bedford is right, big ideas and big change is needed for NT’s tourism sector.

Once the pandemic is over, the world will be screaming out for travellers to come, spend and reinvigorate economies.

Australia isn’t a cheap country to travel to so it’s important the Northern Territory sets itself apart as the go-to place to experience.

The NT has much to offer but there is always room for improvement. The time for nation-building projects is now, and the Territory cannot let itself lag behind.

There is no doubt Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles has her work cut out for her. She will need to hit the ground running and kick her own government and the commonwealth up the butt to get investment out the door and those big ideas, like the National Aboriginal Art Gallery and national parks funding, off the ground.

If that doesn’t happen, the real losers will be Territorians and the Territory economy.