TOURISM INDUSTRY TO BE BUOYED BY NEWS

THE announcement that a new series of cruises will be based out of Darwin Harbour, exploring the magnificent Northern Territory and Western Australian coastlines, is fantastic news.

It’s brilliant for the cruise ship industry, which has been hit by setback after setback since the pandemic first spread globally. The public only has to cast its mind back to the Ruby Princess and other high-profile outbreaks aboard cruise liners to remember the reputational damage the industry suffered.

It’s also welcome news for the rest of the Territory’s tourism operators, who will no doubt benefit from an influx of travellers spending their money at their businesses while on dry land. They have certainly had a rough few years, and every extra customer who comes through their front doors will be one step closer to a recovery.

It’s a development welcomed by the NT government, who will be nervously hoping tourism will recover strongly this Dry. The economy will need strong spending to prove resilient against global shocks to supply chains and a rising cost of living crisis.

Those looking to move to the Top End will be thankful too. These journeys don’t just create jobs directly – they also boost businesses indirectly, whether it be other tourism operators or suppliers. Amid discussion of a shortfall of workers in the Northern Territory, those looking for a job will have plenty of options, many of which will be high paying.

And through all of this, the public ultimately are the winners.

Consumer confidence and a sense of life getting back to normal is key to driving Territorians to get back out there. The hope is they continue to spend. There is also the hope those that were considering leaving will instead opt to stay.

Make no mistake: the pandemic recovery still has a long way to go. Earlier forecasts were that the tourism industry in particular had a three to five-year road back to normality.

No matter how small, announcements like these are good steps towards that goal.

The Silver Explorer will set off from Darwin Harbour for its maiden voyage on Sunday, the first of five expeditions between the Top End and Western Australia. Each will carry up to 144 passengers.

The fact these voyages are back on is an incredible show of confidence from the cruise industry in the Territory’s recovery, and hopefully a good sign that things are finally getting back to the way they were.