Mr BONSON - 2003-04-29
Can you please provide further details about the special package that is being developed by the government to assist the tourism industry following the cancellation of the Arafura Games?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question and I thank the member for Millner for it. I am sure we all share the disappointment over the cancellation of the Arafura Games, but it was the right decision. It certainly was a responsible decision. I am gratified by the support, right across the Territory, that the government has had for that tough decision to cancel the Arafura Games. It does not only impact on the athletes who have been preparing for months, and the volunteers who put so much work in, but it comes as a blow to our tourism industry, particularly to the accommodation sector.
Government has been quick to respond and substantial resources have been shifted from the games to the development of a package to assist the tourism industry. Yesterday, Cabinet announced that we would be providing $600 000 for a range of initiatives to attract new tourists during May, as well as encouraging those who were registered to come to the games to proceed with their travel plans.
We have already announced the provision of a $200 voucher for all Arafura Games registrants who want to continue to visit Darwin during the period of May, and those who are also thinking about travelling, to encourage them to proceed with their trips.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I certainly hope - is that the mumbling of the member for Araluen? Would you like to hear the answer, perhaps? Would you like to hear the answer?
Ms Carney: Yes, please.
Ms MARTIN: Good! A little support would be terrific.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, direct your remarks to me, thank you.
Ms MARTIN: I certainly hope that the participants from Central Australia will continue with their travel plans because we would love to see them in the Top End. Approximately 100 Territory athletes from outside Darwin were registered to participate in the games, and we certainly hope that they take advantage of these initiatives: a $200 voucher to help you with a meal out or to take a tour from Darwin would be a most attractive incentive for anyone thinking of continuing to come to Darwin.
Today, I can confirm that government is extending the incentives to all tourists who come to Darwin during May, with an offer of a $100 voucher as an incentive to travel. Negotiations are continuing with airlines and wholesalers to develop joint marketing campaigns for special flight and accommodation packages that will be available during May, and these will be backed up with low cost air fares and very good value accommodation packages.
We are also targeting those who can take short break holidays to offer an attractive package where they might be able to quickly have a week in Darwin. We have needed to move quickly, and the specific details of those packages, I am confident, will be announced by the end of the week.
It was a blow to the tourism industry, to athletes, and to all those who have been working for the Arafura Games, to have it cancelled. However, it was the right decision; it was a responsible decision. We have put in place some measures to alleviate that, and we are working with great concentration to make sure that that can happen. We have the right incentives in place. We will see those packages announced before the end of the week. In the meantime, we will start planning for a bigger and better Arafura Games in 2005.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question and I thank the member for Millner for it. I am sure we all share the disappointment over the cancellation of the Arafura Games, but it was the right decision. It certainly was a responsible decision. I am gratified by the support, right across the Territory, that the government has had for that tough decision to cancel the Arafura Games. It does not only impact on the athletes who have been preparing for months, and the volunteers who put so much work in, but it comes as a blow to our tourism industry, particularly to the accommodation sector.
Government has been quick to respond and substantial resources have been shifted from the games to the development of a package to assist the tourism industry. Yesterday, Cabinet announced that we would be providing $600 000 for a range of initiatives to attract new tourists during May, as well as encouraging those who were registered to come to the games to proceed with their travel plans.
We have already announced the provision of a $200 voucher for all Arafura Games registrants who want to continue to visit Darwin during the period of May, and those who are also thinking about travelling, to encourage them to proceed with their trips.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I certainly hope - is that the mumbling of the member for Araluen? Would you like to hear the answer, perhaps? Would you like to hear the answer?
Ms Carney: Yes, please.
Ms MARTIN: Good! A little support would be terrific.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, direct your remarks to me, thank you.
Ms MARTIN: I certainly hope that the participants from Central Australia will continue with their travel plans because we would love to see them in the Top End. Approximately 100 Territory athletes from outside Darwin were registered to participate in the games, and we certainly hope that they take advantage of these initiatives: a $200 voucher to help you with a meal out or to take a tour from Darwin would be a most attractive incentive for anyone thinking of continuing to come to Darwin.
Today, I can confirm that government is extending the incentives to all tourists who come to Darwin during May, with an offer of a $100 voucher as an incentive to travel. Negotiations are continuing with airlines and wholesalers to develop joint marketing campaigns for special flight and accommodation packages that will be available during May, and these will be backed up with low cost air fares and very good value accommodation packages.
We are also targeting those who can take short break holidays to offer an attractive package where they might be able to quickly have a week in Darwin. We have needed to move quickly, and the specific details of those packages, I am confident, will be announced by the end of the week.
It was a blow to the tourism industry, to athletes, and to all those who have been working for the Arafura Games, to have it cancelled. However, it was the right decision; it was a responsible decision. We have put in place some measures to alleviate that, and we are working with great concentration to make sure that that can happen. We have the right incentives in place. We will see those packages announced before the end of the week. In the meantime, we will start planning for a bigger and better Arafura Games in 2005.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016