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Category: Travel and Tourism / Tourism

NT encourages Bali backpackers to 'add on' Darwin trip

Monday, 1 Feb 2016 07:52:35 | Nadia Daly

Darwin's Mindil Beach Markets at sunset, one of the attractions the NT Government hopes will lure backpackers from Bali. (Supplied)

A beer in Bali may be a fraction of the price of a cold one in the Northern Territory, but the NT Government is hoping it can lure European backpackers from the Indonesian holiday island with the promise of a Top End adventure.

In the face of dwindling international visitors from the UK, France and Germany, the Government has launched a new campaign to target Bali-bound travellers and convince them to tack on a trip to Darwin.

As the Territory's resources-driven economy slows, the tourism industry, which is the Territory's biggest employer, is being looked at to fill the economic hole.

Tourism NT data has revealed tourist numbers have been in decline since 2000.

Backpacker numbers have been particularly dire across Australia, and the campaign will target European backpackers already planning trips to Bali.

"We know Bali is a backpacker hotspot and there are many similarities between it and Darwin with both having a thriving nightlife, tropical weather and adventurous activities" NT Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Adam Giles said.

"But there is much more the Northern Territory can offer that Bali simply can't, including our rich Indigenous culture, spectacular natural landmarks like Ubirr lookout in Kakadu, epic outback road trips and the spectacular jumping crocodiles at Adelaide River."

Mr Giles said more than 400,000 European tourists visit Bali each year, but most are not aware Darwin is only two-and-a-half hours away by plane.

In its 2020 Vision report, Tourism NT stated that the economy relied on the tourism sector far more than the rest of Australia.

The Territory Government is hoping to grow tourism to a $2.2 billion industry by 2020.

This latest campaign involves European-based travel agents encouraging travellers to add on Darwin when booking a trip to Bali.

Mr Giles said he would also lobby the Federal Government to rethink its approach on how backpackers are taxed while working in Australia.

AustraliaPlus


 

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