Tourism NT - Different in every sense.

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TERRITORY OPERATORS SHINE AT AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Territory tourism operators made their mark at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards with the Katherine Outback Experience winning gold for best Tourist Attraction and the Darwin Convention Centre also awarded gold for best Business Events Venue. Venture North Safaris were awarded silver in the Cultural Tourism category and Uluru Camel Tours took the bronze in the Tour and Transport Operators category.

Congratulations to the winners and all of the Territory finalists who represented the NT at the tourism industry’s peak awards.

NEWS

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN REPORT CARDS RELEASED

The first annual report cards tracking the progress of each of the 10 year Regional Destination Management Plans (DMPs) for the Territory tourism regions of Big Rivers, Barkly, Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges and Lasseter regions have been released. Developing DMPs for six tourism regions is a key action of the Northern Territory’s Tourism Industry Strategy 2030, with East Arnhem Land DMP released in November 2021 and Greater Darwin DMP due for release next month.

INTERNATIONAL RESTART SUPPORT FUND

The Northern Territory Government has launched an International Restart Support Fund last week, with grants of up to $15,000 available to support Northern Territory tourism businesses enter or return to the international market. Grant applications will receive quick responses to ensure NT tourism businesses and offerings can be in international markets as soon as possible as we head towards the NT’s peak tourism season. Applications closing 30 April 2022.

TERRITORY TOURISM TO WELCOME BACK CRUISE INDUSTRY

Cruise ships will once again return to Top End waters, reigniting a multi-million dollar industry for the Territory, with the Australian Government announcing it will lift the Biosecurity declaration on 17 April to enable the cruise industry to safely resume in Australia. This decision will provide a massive boost to the local economy, with cruise ships generating around $60 million of annual expenditure within the Territory prior to COVID-19.

TERRITORY EVENTS LIGHT UP NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

A new campaign promoting the Northern Territory as a destination for unique events has launched to interstate audiences this month. The Events that bring the different campaign is designed to inspire Australians to visit, experience and participate in unique Territory events. To get involved and access the toolkit and campaign imagery click here

WORK HARD PLAY HARD CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT TOURISM & HOSPITALITY WORKERS

Tourism NT’s working holiday maker campaign for the Territory, Work Hard Play Hard commenced this month. The campaign aims to attract tourism and hospitality workers to the Territory through offering a special NT Work Perks travel incentive which can be redeemed through one of the NT’s visitor information centres. To get involved and register your jobs visit Work Hard, Play Hard | Tourism Northern

WORK STAY PLAY RETURNS

Businesses experiencing workforce shortages can now register to participate in the Work, Stay, Play program to attract workers to relocate to the Territory. The program has expanded to support employers across all industries experiencing critical skill shortages, such as construction, aged care, retail, hospitality and tourism. Eligible businesses are able to apply for a one-off payment of $1,000 for each new employee, which will support longer, full-time employment in all sectors.

GLOBAL WORKER ATTRACTION CAMPAIGN #movetotheTerritory

A new global worker attraction campaign #movetotheTerritory has commenced to help the Territory grow a skilled and capable workforce. Targeting skilled and semi-skilled workers in Australia and around the world, the NT Government has partnered with recruitment platforms Seek, CareerOne and Indeed to drive job seekers to jobs in the NT.

CHANGES TO NT DAMA HELPS WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

Changes to the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) will better support Territory businesses address critical workforce shortages. Under the updated NT DAMA, an increased annual ceiling will enable employers to fill up to 625 vacant positions per year with overseas workers.

ONLINE-ONLY LODGEMENT FOR VISITOR VISA APPLICATIONS

From 5 March 2022, all applicants applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) in Australia will have to lodge their application online via ImmiAccount. This follows the successful implementation in September 2021 of online lodgement for all Visitor visa (subclass 600) applicants outside Australia. Following these changes, paper applications will not be accepted as valid for lodgement. For more detail see Fact Sheet.
In addition to holding a valid visa, all travellers must meet Australia’s border entry requirements READ MORE

WHAT'S COMING UP IN DOMESTIC TRADE MARKETING

From April to May Tourism NT will be supporting the following cooperative trade marketing campaigns:
- Travello (1 Feb – 31 May)
- Welcome to Country (1 March – 14 April)
- Viator Sale (1 – 30 April)
- Kayak (1 April – 31 May)
- NT Now/Holidays of Australia (1 April – 30 June)
To get involved please reach out to these trade partners directly or contact [email protected]

LATEST ACCOMMODATION RESULTS

Darwin, Alice Springs and Northern Territory accommodation reports provide data and insights on occupancy rates, average daily rates, revenue per available room, demand and supply information for these regions. Data is updated monthly. For latest information please visit our accommodation page.

INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

GET INVOLVED WITH UPCOMING GUIDED TOURISM CAMPAIGN

Tourism NT is planning to launch a marketing campaign to promote day and multi-day guided tours targeting domestic travel intenders in the 50+ demographic. To have your deals and/or value-add ons included in the campaign please express your interest via this online form or email Tourism NT Marketing

HELP STRENGTHEN THE ABORIGINAL TOURISM SECTOR

The 2022 Aboriginal tourism business survey is open. Participation in this survey by Aboriginal tourism businesses will assist business growth targets by continuing to build and understand baseline data. The survey will also assist in ensuring continued support to strengthen the sector. Aboriginal tourism businesses are encouraged to complete the survey today. Click the link below to take part.
ABORIGINAL TOURISM BUSINESS SURVEY

REGISTER FOR TOURISM TOWARDS 2030 CONFERENCE

Expressions of interest to attend this year’s Tourism Towards 2030 Conference to be held in Darwin and Alice Springs this April are now open. Come along to hear presentations from Tourism Australia, Austrade, the G’Day Group and more. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to tourism operators and suppliers.

TOUR GUIDE READY PROGRAM - CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

A unique opportunity exists for tour operators to attract potential tour guides to the Red Centre through Charles Darwin University's (CDU) Tour Guide Ready Program. The free 5-week intensive course will enable eligible participants to become fully accredited tour guides at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, saving them more than $7000 in training fees. Next training date scheduled for 26 April 2022.

EXPRESS TOUR GUIDE READY PROGRAM - TOP END

Tourism NT have designed an express version of the Tour Guide Ready Program (Express program) to streamline applicants into tour guide training for Kakadu National Park. The express program will subsidise training costs to the tour operator for VTP230 Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides accreditation, heavy vehicle training and license and senior first aid certification. Entry to the program is open until 30 April 2022, or until all 30 positions have been filled.

BOOK NOW FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM BUSINESSES GRANTS

Funding is available to support the implementation of booking systems for NT Aboriginal tourism businesses. With consumers increasingly choosing to book online, being instantly bookable is a critical element of meeting customer expectations and ensuring that your business receives the booking. Grants up to $5,000 are available now.

PRICING AND DISTRIBUTION WORKSHOPS

Have you considered expanding your market reach? Have you priced your product correctly? Tourism NT invites you to two exclusive workshops on Pricing Your Product for Sustainability and Growth and Adapting Your Product for Distribution. The workshops are taking place on 11 April 2022 in Alice Springs and registrations to attend online or in person are now open.

WORKING WITH ONLINE TRAVEL AGENTS

Working with an Online Travel Agent (OTA) can increase your product reach world-wide. Not only do OTAs help increase your bookings, they also provide exposure for your product.

To discover more about helping customers READ MORE

NEW BASSINTHEGRASS CRUISE

Music fans can enjoy the ultimate BASSINTHEGRASS weekend with a new travel package designed to lure interstate travellers to the Top End. The deal includes a ticket to BASSINTHEGRASS, plus a ticket to board the BASS Boat and enjoy a Sunday cruise on stunning Darwin Harbour the day after the music festival.

PARRTJIMA WORKSHOPS LAUNCHED

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light returns to Alice Springs from 8-17 April 2022, and the workshops program is now open for bookings. The workshops join a packed program full of light, music, performances, talks and film. To register for Parrtjima, and secure your spot at any workshop or film click the link below.

RECORD MILLION DOLLAR FISH SEASON

You only have four days to bag a tagged fish as part of Million Dollar Fish Season 7. It’s been a record season, with 17 fishos landing themselves $10,000. The eight fish carrying tags worth a million bucks remain active once the season ends, but you MUST be registered by 31 March 2022 to claim any cash.

VIEW VISITOR DATA

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

GPO Box 1155, Darwin NT 0801