Resolving aviation access, reducing seasonality and sustainable practices have been identified as three new priorities in the revised strategy.
Developed in collaboration with industry, the document also sets out new demand and supply-side targets.
“Tourism and the Territory go hand in hand, the sector is vital to our local business owners, economy and a significant contributor right across our regions,” said the NT’s tourism minister, Nicole Manison.
“It is important we set the right direction for tourism in the NT, these efforts unite the public and private sectors as we focus on what needs to be done to build on our already thriving tourism industry.”
A key part of growing the territory’s tourism industry has been the government-funded Visitor Enhancement Experience Program (VEEP), which has, to date, distributed $3 million in funding to grow visitor economy infrastructure and experiences, and prompted a further $10 million of improvement funding from industry. Grants of up $100,000 of matched funding are available in each round.
The territory also currently has grants open for the latest round of the Aboriginal Tourism Grant Program, which offers between $30,000 and $100,000 in funding to Aboriginal-owned businesses or organisations to develop new Aboriginal cultural experiences for the visitor economy or to enhance existing offerings. With $500,000 in total up for grabs, applications close on October 4, 2023.
To date, 45 Aboriginal businesses have shared in more than $1.74 million in financing to grow Aboriginal cultural experiences in the territory.
In 2022, visitors – including those attending business events – spent more than $3 billion in the Northern Territory.
