Mr BALCH - 1998-10-07
As we know the domestic travel market nationally remains soft and has resulted in a decline in interstate visitor numbers to the Northern Territory in 1997-98. What action is being taken to address this difficult Australia-wide market trend?
ANSWER
Mr STONE: Madam Speaker, domestic tourism across Australia has been in decline over the last 3 years and that is a matter of concern because the tourism sector is a very important sector here in the Northern Territory. It makes up 19% of our economy and is our biggest employer.
The Tourism Council of Australia has established a working party to undertake major consumer research on these trends and to develop a strategy to address this major growth challenge to Australian holidays. They have prepared a multi-faceted marketing campaign to encourage Australians to holiday at home.
It is important to encourage Australians to take holidays within their own country. The current currency exchange rates will probably encourage Australians to do that. Of course, it’s also an aspect of the marketing campaigns of our own tourist associations, and the Northern Territory Tourist Commission, to encourage Territorians to take advantage of some of the more splendid tourism destinations we have within this great Territory of ours.
One of the pleasing aspects about the re-election of John Howard as Prime Minister was that the coalition had made a commitment of $8m in funding for the initiative of part of its tourism policy, and that was well received by the industry and will certainly be quite important in terms of how it’s marketed in time ahead.
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr STONE: The funding, if the member for Stuart, Peter Toyne, will be quiet, is dependent upon funds from industry …
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: Can I just say, that I’m sure members of the tourism industry are trying to listen to this despite constant interjections from members of the Labor Party.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Here we go - John Bailey, the member for Wanguri - he’s at it again. You see, they have no interest in this vital sector of industry in the Territory, and are not even prepared to allow those listening to the broadcast the courtesy of being heard.
The strong trend appears to have continued during the 1998 September quarter, no doubt assisted by the August/November campaign by the Northern Territory Tourist Commission and its $1m outlay on media with a mix of direct-response television (DRTV), magazines and newspapers. The campaign is largely tactical, promoting shoulder season travel to both the Top End and central Australia. Now, in this period, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the Red Centre Explorer self-drive car and campervan packages with Qantas …
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Wanguri laughs. He thinks this is funny. Isn’t it interesting, Madam Speaker? I don’t think I have ever been asked a question on tourism by members of the opposition. I get many questions from my own colleagues because they are vitally interested in the industry.
Mr Bailey: You wrote the question yourself.
Mr STONE: The same person who constantly interjects, the member for Wanguri, John Bailey …
Mrs HICKEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister and other members opposite seem to be making a habit of referring to members by the name of their electorate and their own name. Under standing order 65, that is not allowable. I ask you to direct members accordingly.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, there is a point of order. You should only refer to members by their electorate. But we will have less interjections from the member for Wanguri.
Mr STONE: The self-drive car and campervan packages with Qantas Holidays and the Bali/Darwin packages with Ansett Holidays will make up the bulk of the schedule. This advertising has been strongly supported by industry with approximately $1m in cooperative advertising committed for the financial year by the major wholesalers to coach operators in the industry.
If the result is realised, it is indeed good news. As I have said, it is our second-largest sector and our largest employer. It employs thousands of Territorians and is part of the very intricate underpinning infrastructure of the Territory economy. I congratulate all the tourism operators and those others who are involved in this endeavour.
ANSWER
Mr STONE: Madam Speaker, domestic tourism across Australia has been in decline over the last 3 years and that is a matter of concern because the tourism sector is a very important sector here in the Northern Territory. It makes up 19% of our economy and is our biggest employer.
The Tourism Council of Australia has established a working party to undertake major consumer research on these trends and to develop a strategy to address this major growth challenge to Australian holidays. They have prepared a multi-faceted marketing campaign to encourage Australians to holiday at home.
It is important to encourage Australians to take holidays within their own country. The current currency exchange rates will probably encourage Australians to do that. Of course, it’s also an aspect of the marketing campaigns of our own tourist associations, and the Northern Territory Tourist Commission, to encourage Territorians to take advantage of some of the more splendid tourism destinations we have within this great Territory of ours.
One of the pleasing aspects about the re-election of John Howard as Prime Minister was that the coalition had made a commitment of $8m in funding for the initiative of part of its tourism policy, and that was well received by the industry and will certainly be quite important in terms of how it’s marketed in time ahead.
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr STONE: The funding, if the member for Stuart, Peter Toyne, will be quiet, is dependent upon funds from industry …
Members interjecting.
Mr STONE: Can I just say, that I’m sure members of the tourism industry are trying to listen to this despite constant interjections from members of the Labor Party.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Here we go - John Bailey, the member for Wanguri - he’s at it again. You see, they have no interest in this vital sector of industry in the Territory, and are not even prepared to allow those listening to the broadcast the courtesy of being heard.
The strong trend appears to have continued during the 1998 September quarter, no doubt assisted by the August/November campaign by the Northern Territory Tourist Commission and its $1m outlay on media with a mix of direct-response television (DRTV), magazines and newspapers. The campaign is largely tactical, promoting shoulder season travel to both the Top End and central Australia. Now, in this period, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the Red Centre Explorer self-drive car and campervan packages with Qantas …
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: The member for Wanguri laughs. He thinks this is funny. Isn’t it interesting, Madam Speaker? I don’t think I have ever been asked a question on tourism by members of the opposition. I get many questions from my own colleagues because they are vitally interested in the industry.
Mr Bailey: You wrote the question yourself.
Mr STONE: The same person who constantly interjects, the member for Wanguri, John Bailey …
Mrs HICKEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister and other members opposite seem to be making a habit of referring to members by the name of their electorate and their own name. Under standing order 65, that is not allowable. I ask you to direct members accordingly.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, there is a point of order. You should only refer to members by their electorate. But we will have less interjections from the member for Wanguri.
Mr STONE: The self-drive car and campervan packages with Qantas Holidays and the Bali/Darwin packages with Ansett Holidays will make up the bulk of the schedule. This advertising has been strongly supported by industry with approximately $1m in cooperative advertising committed for the financial year by the major wholesalers to coach operators in the industry.
If the result is realised, it is indeed good news. As I have said, it is our second-largest sector and our largest employer. It employs thousands of Territorians and is part of the very intricate underpinning infrastructure of the Territory economy. I congratulate all the tourism operators and those others who are involved in this endeavour.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016