Budget 2022: Turbocharging Territory Tourism and Events

Territory tourism is heading into its most exciting high-season since the start of the pandemic, and the Northern Territory Government is investing millions to ensure operators and event organisers capitalise on every opportunity. Budget 2022 invests $86.4 million into the Territory’s tourism and events sectors, to support world-class attractions, boost visitation and enhance visitor experience.

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NEWS

Greater Darwin region Destination Management Plan released

The Greater Darwin region Destination Management Plan has been released, marking the final Destination Management Plan (DMP) for the Northern Territory. The Greater Darwin region DMP follows the release of DMPs for major regional Territory tourism areas of Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges, Big Rivers, Barkly and Lasseter in 2020, and East Arnhem Land in 2021.

NT Cruise Tourism Strategy released

The Northern Territory Cruise Tourism Strategy 2022-2025 (NT Cruise Tourism Strategy) was launched this month. Reflecting emerging trends in the cruise industry prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps to be taken over the next three years to regrow the industry, the NT Cruise Tourism strategy provides a roadmap to ensure cruise tourism continues to grow.

New campsites open in Litchfield

The Central Valley campgrounds 2 and 3 are now complete and will be open for visitors from Saturday 28 May 2022. These campgrounds mark the completion of the $17.5 million Turbocharging Tourism initiative. More than 300,000 people visit Litchfield National Park every year and the addition of Central Valley has created 32 new campsites across 3 campgrounds in Litchfield.

PARK BOOKINGS

Is your town the NT's top tourism town?

Nominations for the Northern Territory Top Tourism Town Awards 2022 have been extended to 31 May 2022. We are seeking entrants for:
Top Tourism Town Award – towns with a population over 5,000 people
Small Tourism Town Award – towns with a population of less than 5,000 people
Tiny Tourism Town Award – towns with a population of less than 1,500 people.
Nominations can be made by local councils, tourism operators or residents.

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Australian Tourism Exchange 2022

NT tourism operators and Tourism NT recently returned from the Australian Tourism Exchange 2022 (ATE) which was held from 15 -18 May in Sydney followed by ATE Online from 24 - 26 May. The Sydney event saw over 500 international buyers meet with the Australian tourism industry, discussing business opportunities to rebuild tourism following two years of COVID-19 related travel restrictions. As part of the program, Tourism NT teamed up with the NT Airport Development Group to promote aviation route opportunities to key airlines. Australian Tourism Exchange 2023 will be held on the Gold Coast.

Changes to Working Holiday Maker program

The Australian Government has announced an increase from 1 July 2022 in the eligible age range for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa for Denmark and Italy, increased to 35 years up from 30 years. These countries will join Canada, France and Ireland at 35 years. The full range of changes from 1 July include:

Brazil - new arrangement with 500 places

Mongolia - new arrangement with 100 places

Slovak Republic - cap increase from 200 to 1,000 places

Hungary and Austria - cap increase from 200 to 500 places; and

Italy and Denmark - age increase from 30 to 35 years.

PRODUCT UPDATES

Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft Gallery officially opens

Katherine’s Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft gallery officially opened earlier this month following a $3 million renovation through the Northern Territory Government’s $30 million Arts Trail Gallery Extension Program. The gallery, which showcases works from throughout the Big Rivers region, is the first to be completed in the program being rolled out across Katherine, Tennant Creek and Arnhem Land.

Injalak Border Store open for visitors

The Border Store, Injalak's dry season gallery space and shop is now open. Exhibiting works on paper, bark paintings, carvings, fabric, fibre art, t-shirts, earrings, books and gifts. All artworks are created by Injalak artists from Gunbalanya and greater West Arnhem Land with fabrics, t-shirts, and totes also designed and hand screen printed by Injalak artists.

INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Roadhouse to Recovery Grants now open

The third round of the Territory Small Business Roadhouse to Recovery Grant program opened earlier this month with a $2 million funding pool available. This round will see regional and remote wayside inns and roadhouses within the Territory able to apply for grants up to $150,000 for infrastructure improvements, with businesses required to provide a minimum 50 per cent cash contribution to the project and grants made on a $1 for $1 basis with grants closing 18 July 2022.

Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business Program now open

Round two of the Tourism Grants for Indigenous Business Program are now open. Providing funding for individual Aboriginal-owned businesses and community organisations to develop new products, equipment, business planning and marketing.

Grants are capped at $50,000 for businesses and $100,000 for community organisations and close 14 June 2022. The National Indigenous Australians Agency are hosting online information sessions, email [email protected] to find out more.

What's coming up in Domestic Trade Marketing?

From May to June Tourism NT will be supporting the following cooperative trade marketing campaigns:
- NT Now / Holidays of Australia (1 April – 30 June)
- Flight Centre (23 June – 7 July)
To get involved please reach out to these trade partners directly or email [email protected]

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EVENTS

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference

The Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC 2022) ‘The Time is Now - Let's Ignite’ will be held from 16 – 18 June 2022 on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Land (Cairns). The conference presents three days of trade and media education activities, workshops and industry insights with the focus of examining current and future travel trends.

Sold out BASSINTHEGRASS a hit

BASSINTHEGRASS 2022 drew a record-breaking 16,000 music lovers to Mindil Beach on Saturday 21 May, including around 40 per cent from interstate. It was the biggest BASSINTHEGRASS ever, and the Top End was busy with people out and about. A limited number of Early Bird tickets for BASSINTHEGRASS 2023 are on sale now for $85 (plus booking fee).

Three AFL games for the Territory

Gold Coast SUNS will face Hawthorn at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday, 28 May, then tackle North Melbourne on Saturday, 4 June. Tickets for the SUNS are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.au

The Red Centre will also get a flavour of footy, when Melbourne v Port Adelaide takes place at TIO Traeger Park on Sunday, 17 July. Tickets for the Alice Springs game will be on sale from 1pm on Friday, 10 June 2022.

Packed NT Writers Festival program

The NT Writers Festival returns to Larrakia country from 23 - 26 June for four days of inspiring panels, immersive events and powerful performances celebrating language, culture and story. This year the Festival explores the theme of ‘balarr | catching the light’. In Larrakia, balarr means ‘to light up’ or ‘to become light’.

Darwin Festival on sale

Darwin Festival will take place from 4-21 August 2022, and early release tickets are on sale for a select number of shows. Highlights of the festival include the Opening Night Concert, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and National Indigenous Music Awards, featuring Thelma Plum and King Stingray.

TOURISM NT WEB

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Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

GPO Box 1155, Darwin NT 0801