Ms ANDERSON - 2008-06-12
As momentum builds towards the peak of the tourism season, we are all aware of the accommodation constraints that occur. What is the current outlook for tourist accommodation, and are there any developments planned which will expand the stock of accommodation available?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. We are in the middle of our tourism season, and a very good season it is. The information I receive from Alice Springs and Katherine, and by going down the mall, shows the tourists are in town in force. The numbers are going up. However, it is not only tourists, we have many people coming in connection with the oil, gas and mining sectors who are flooding the city to the extent that, yes, we have some problems with accommodation. Because of the influx of these people, Qantas has now started a number of additional flights to and from Perth every week.
When I first came to Darwin, there were two distinctive seasons: one was the Wet when no one was in town, the hotels were empty, and the other was the Dry, when everyone was in town. Recently, we have seen our tourism season extended so that it incorporates the Wet. There are many people coming to Darwin to experience the fantastic climatic conditions during the Wet. Then there are a number of people - the grey nomads - coming to town during the Dry Season.
During our peak season, we do experience some constraints on accommodation in our towns. Between now and 2010, it is estimated that more than 1100 rooms will be built. I am advised that developers are looking for additional land even as far as Palmerston to develop accommodation.
The Mantra Pandanus will officially open next week and will provide 336 rooms. The Darwin Airport Resort is expected to be completed by September and will provide another 121 rooms. The Chinatown development will have 249 hotel rooms; the Medina Grande and Vibe hotels, as part of the waterfront, will be opening early next year offering a total of 241 rooms. This week, we saw the Chief Minister sign an agreement with SKYCITY for a $50m resort on the casino lawns which will provide an additional 122 rooms.
It is not only the tourists who come to town and will require accommodation. Of course, delegates will come here to attend a number of conferences to be held at the brand new convention centre. Next year, we are expecting 23 national and international conventions and, apparently, the management of the convention centre is negotiating for another 47 conventions for next year. With the confirmed conventions, there will be 11 000 delegates. Yesterday, I attended Business at Sunset at the casino; 250 businessmen and businesswomen attended. We had a presentation by the management of the convention centre who advised us that 11 000 delegates will come to Darwin and, from these 11 000 delegates, 30% will bring their spouses and approximately half of them will go on different tours around town.
We have new rooms coming online, and Darwin and the Territory will be able to accommodate more tourists since we became a preferred destination.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. We are in the middle of our tourism season, and a very good season it is. The information I receive from Alice Springs and Katherine, and by going down the mall, shows the tourists are in town in force. The numbers are going up. However, it is not only tourists, we have many people coming in connection with the oil, gas and mining sectors who are flooding the city to the extent that, yes, we have some problems with accommodation. Because of the influx of these people, Qantas has now started a number of additional flights to and from Perth every week.
When I first came to Darwin, there were two distinctive seasons: one was the Wet when no one was in town, the hotels were empty, and the other was the Dry, when everyone was in town. Recently, we have seen our tourism season extended so that it incorporates the Wet. There are many people coming to Darwin to experience the fantastic climatic conditions during the Wet. Then there are a number of people - the grey nomads - coming to town during the Dry Season.
During our peak season, we do experience some constraints on accommodation in our towns. Between now and 2010, it is estimated that more than 1100 rooms will be built. I am advised that developers are looking for additional land even as far as Palmerston to develop accommodation.
The Mantra Pandanus will officially open next week and will provide 336 rooms. The Darwin Airport Resort is expected to be completed by September and will provide another 121 rooms. The Chinatown development will have 249 hotel rooms; the Medina Grande and Vibe hotels, as part of the waterfront, will be opening early next year offering a total of 241 rooms. This week, we saw the Chief Minister sign an agreement with SKYCITY for a $50m resort on the casino lawns which will provide an additional 122 rooms.
It is not only the tourists who come to town and will require accommodation. Of course, delegates will come here to attend a number of conferences to be held at the brand new convention centre. Next year, we are expecting 23 national and international conventions and, apparently, the management of the convention centre is negotiating for another 47 conventions for next year. With the confirmed conventions, there will be 11 000 delegates. Yesterday, I attended Business at Sunset at the casino; 250 businessmen and businesswomen attended. We had a presentation by the management of the convention centre who advised us that 11 000 delegates will come to Darwin and, from these 11 000 delegates, 30% will bring their spouses and approximately half of them will go on different tours around town.
We have new rooms coming online, and Darwin and the Territory will be able to accommodate more tourists since we became a preferred destination.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016