Boosting tourism to the Red Centre

The Coalition Government is providing almost $2.5 million to encourage more Australians to take a holiday in Australia's Red Centre.

Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon said the additional funding would help attract even more tourists to the Northern Territory.

“The NT has been one of the big winners from our Government's 800,000 half-price airfares initiative, with almost 60,000 Australians booking a holiday to the Territory on a cheap flight,” Senator McMahon said.

“We have so much to offer as a tourist destination, and with the borders closed there has never been a better time for Australians to discover our amazing Red Centre.

“The Morrison Government's additional investment in Red Centre tourism will do even more to promote our region and support local jobs and businesses.”

The Morrison Government is providing $2,470,000 for:

• A program of activities to stimulate the long-haul drive tourism market in the Northern Territory, including caravan and camping shows as well as partnerships with the Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australian Royal Automobile Societies.
• An incentive-based campaign to encourage more Australians to book a Red Centre holiday
• Increasing the number of Central Australia travel packages to ensure the region has a year-round presence in the travel market.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Government was supporting tourism jobs and businesses by encouraging Australians to take a holiday.

“The best thing we can do for our tourism sector is to get Australians to take a holiday and spend money that goes to local businesses and jobs,” Mr Tehan said.

“Before COVID-19, domestic tourism made up approximately 77 per cent – or $107 billion – of tourism spend and we are taking action to get that domestic spending primed and pumping again.

“Australia is one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourists for good reason, so we want everyone to get out and explore their own backyard this year.”

Tourism Central Australia Chief Executive Officer Danial Rochford welcomed the funding boost.

“This funding will be critical in assisting the #RedCentreNT to recovery from the effects of the decline in international visitation as a result of the pandemic,” Mr Rochford said.

“Given our uniqueness and iconic nature, this funding will specifically target domestic visitors who will look to Central Australia as that overseas holiday that they cannot take at the moment.

“Our focus is to drive demand over the shoulder and low season to give our industry the shot in the arm they need to bounce back from 2020.

“Our main focus will be on our Fly Drive and long haul drive markets to stimulate this demand,” Mr Rochford said.

The funding is provided through the Recovery for Regional Tourism (RRT) program, which is an initiative of the Government's $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.