TOURISM NT INDUSTRY UPDATE - KEEPING YOU INFORMED

DRIVE TOURISM STRATEGY LAUNCHED

The Northern Territory Drive Tourism Strategy 2021-2030 was launched this month. An action from the NT’s Tourism Industry Strategy 2030, the Drive Tourism strategy identifies key product and marketing opportunities to develop the Territory as a drive destination.

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NEWS

Territory summer on sale with savings for vaccinated Aussies

Tourism NT’s largest cooperative incentive campaign, the $5 million NT Summer Sale is set to return next month with discounts on offer for vaccinated holiday visitors travelling to the Territory between 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Aimed at incentivising demand for the NT over the summer the campaign offers discounted NT summer packages and fully vaccinated travellers can save on flights, accommodation, tours, attractions and vehicle hire with a $200 discount for every $1,000 spent on a NT booking.

Red Centre showcased in Bachelor finale

Australia’s heartland, the Red Centre was showcased as the ultimate destination for romance in an epic season finale of The Bachelor on Channel 10 at the start of this month. Sponsored by Tourism NT, viewers got to see the Bachelor star and pilot Jimmy Nicholson take his final two contestants on a series of romantic dates, exploring the landscapes of Uluru and Alice Springs with the region the only destination to be featured in the series.

NT Learning Adventures - Caulfield Grammar School webinar

NT Learning Adventures provided an online update to present a school’s perspective on managing interstate school excursions in the current environment. Caulfield Grammar School (CGS) successfully navigated COVID-19 travel restrictions to deliver six NT programs to approximately 300 students across 114 days this year. Mike Gregory, Head of Nanjing Campus & Emerging Student Experiences from CGS, shared his experience managing the program. Discover why the Northern Territory is CGS’s learning destination of choice and get insight into the COVID-19 management planning and communication strategies that enabled the program delivery. Watch the webinar here

Instagram has launched Map Search

Instagram has launched Map Search in Australia and New Zealand, as well as other markets, a feature that allows Instagram users to use a map to find tagged businesses. Map Search can be accessed in-app via an icon in the Explore tab in the top right next to the search bar. According to Instagram, more than 200 million businesses use Instagram each month around the world, and 90% of users on Instagram use a business. The map will also be displayed for certain hashtags, such as #takeaway. The new function adds to existing Instagram features that support small businesses, such as the ‘Support Small Business’ sticker in stories.

Mental health coaching for small business owners

Running a small business can be highly stressful. Long hours, social isolation, cash flow issues and the competing demands of work and home life can leave around a third of small business owners feeling high levels of mental distress. To address the need for mental health support Beyond Blue has launched NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO), a free, confidential mental health coaching program designed to support small business owners and help get them back on track.

INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Visitation Reliant Support Program closing soon

Applications are still open for the $9 million Visitation Reliant Support Program for tourism and hospitality businesses reliant on international and interstate visitation. Under the co-funded scheme, employing businesses will receive a $3,000 payment, while sole traders will receive a $1,000 payment. Eligible businesses must have an annual turnover of less than $10 million, and will need to demonstrate a 30 per cent decrease in turnover as a result of travel restrictions. Applications close 30 September 2021.

Tourism Survival Fund closing soon

Applications are still open for the $1.3 million Tourism Survival Fund to assist touring companies, professional conference organisers, exhibition build companies and eligible attractions, providing highly targeted support to those operators most impacted by the lack of international visitors. Applications close 30 September 2021.

Aboriginal Tourism Grant Program

Grant funding is available to enhance Aboriginal tourism businesses across the Northern Territory through round 3 of the Aboriginal Tourism Grant Program. One-off funding of up to $20,000 is available for eligible businesses. Applications close 4pm 13 October 2021.

Funding to attract critical workers

Eligible tourism, hospitality and agriculture businesses can apply for up to $1,500 for each eligible new worker as part of the Work Stay Play program. Eligible workers must be either from interstate and have relocated to the NT, or an NT resident who has been unemployed for at least one month before starting employment. Applications close 5pm 15 October 2021.

Business Growth Program

Eligible small businesses can apply for up to $10,000 on a 50-50 co-contribution basis to access professional services that will improve business performance, sustainability and profitability. The program also offers mentoring and coaching support.

Registrations open for NT Muster
NT operators are invited to register to attend NT Muster 2022. The three day roadshow will be held in March 2022 and will take place in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, pending no travel or event restrictions at the time. There will be no fees to attend the roadshow in 2022, however spaces are limited and operators must meet criteria to attend.

Greater Darwin Destination Management Plan survey

A series of workshops were recently held across the Greater Darwin region as a key step to inform the development of the Greater Darwin Destination Management Plan. You can also share your views on what will make the greatest impact on the future of tourism in the region through a short survey, open to 30 September. Alternatively email your input to [email protected]

2021 Brolga Awards - individual categories closing 8 October 2021

Know someone working in the tourism industry who deserves to be recognised at the Brolga Awards this year? Nominate them today by submitting a brief overview of the candidate and their contribution to NT tourism. Entries for individual categories including the Tourism Employee Award and the George Dunne Outstanding Contribution Award are open until 8 October 2021.
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Creating advocates & ambassadors for your tourism business

Tourism NT’s PR and Industry Development team will be delivering a series of presentations on creating advocates and ambassadors for your tourism business to all NT regions as part of October Business Month. Consumers are talking about your tourism business - find out what they are saying, how to respond and how to use them to create advocates and ambassadors for your business.

EVENTS

Million Dollar Fish is back!

Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish opens on 1 October 2021, and registrations are already through the roof with interstaters and Territorians keen to try their luck. Eight fish carrying a Million Dollar Fish tag have now been released in Top End waterways, and this year there are 100 fish carrying a $10,000 tag.

REGISTER HERE

Desert Festival fun

The Red Centre’s Desert Festival runs from today until 3 October 2021, promising 11 days of theatre, poetry, visual arts, live music, dance, workshops and more. This year’s theme is Lovin’ Local, and tonight’s opening parade, in collaboration with the Alice Springs Town Council night markets, promises food and festivities for locals and visitors.

TOURISM NT WEB

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Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

GPO Box 1155, Darwin NT 0801