Kakadu uplift needed to attract the Chinese

TOURISM Minister Lauren Moss has wrapped up her China mission confident that the NT has made the right decision to make it a major focus as an international market.

Ms Moss said quite apart from the interest shown in Darwin by new international carrier Donghai Airlines, the growing awareness from China’s tourism industry in the Territory was encouraging.

“We have seen a significant increase in visitors from China in recent years but we are working hard to build those numbers. We know Chinese visitors spend more on average than other visitors — it is an important and lucrative market,” she said. “The China meetings were extremely encouraging and positive. The awareness is there but more needs to be done to grow interest in the Top End.” Ms Moss said she will continue to lobby the Turnbull government to provide funding for Kakadu, which falls under commonwealth responsibility.

“What did emerge from our talks is the importance of federal government investment in its own world renowned park, Kakadu. We need the Federal Government to urgently invest in making key Kakadu attractions more accessible by sealing roads, upgrading existing product and working with us and traditional owners to open up new areas.”

Ms Moss says efforts to reinvigorate growth in the Top End must be doubled following a decline in international visi- tors to Darwin and Kakadu as more tourists opt for Katherine, Alice Springs and Uluru.

“The work we are doing with Donghai will help us build Darwin as a destination in its own right. Likewise my talks in Singapore with existing airline partners will hopefully realise more opportunities.”