Investing in tourism to support business and create jobs

The Territory Government announced an additional $62.8 million over two years for Turbocharging Tourism 2.

The initial Turbocharging Tourism investment exceeded its target, attracting more holiday visitors and business event travellers to the Territory. So far, it’s delivered:

  • more than 57,000 additional holiday bookings resulting in $70 million into the economy (well above the target of 53,000 additional visitors by the end of June 2019);
  • new aviation services including Donghai Airlines’ China-Darwin service, additional Jetstar Asia and SilkAir services between Singapore-Darwin, new Virgin Australia services between Brisbane-Alice Springs and Darwin-Bali, Airnorth twice-weekly Gold Coast-Darwin flights and a new Qantas Darwin-Uluru-Adelaide service;
  • 38 business events and conferences bringing more than 12,000 business delegates and more than $29 million into the economy, with most events occurring in 2019; and
  • $11.6 million in private investment through the $3 million Visitor Experience Enhancement Program, allowing 115 tourism-related businesses to improve their visitor experience.

TURBO2 will build on the momentum of TURBO1, delivering more investment into domestic and international marketing and continuing support for events and festivals which are bringing more people to the Territory every year. It includes:

  • $27.7 million extra over two years to boost co-operative marketing, promoting the Territory nationally and internationally,
  • $20 million extra over two years for major events and community festivals across the Territory, recognising their importance to liveability, tourism and local jobs, and
  • $15.1 million extra over two years to enhance visitor experiences in our Parks and through our arts and cultural offerings and to support tourism operators to improve visitor experiences.

Meanwhile, the $53.74 million investment in tourism infrastructure from TURBO1 continues with:

  • the new George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens visitor centre, due to open in September,
  • new camping grounds and swimming holes at Litchfield National Park, with road works to start in July,
  • preservation and enhancement works at the Hermannsburg Historical Precinct underway,
  • expansion of walking tracks at Nitmiluk National Park underway,
  • revitalisation of the visitor experience in Tennant Creek,
  • opening up new cycling adventures on the Red Centre Ride and
  • new walking experiences at Watarrka National Park.

Source: NT Government