Tourism Rebound Taskforce established for Northern Territory

With the local tourism industry having been significantly impacted by COVID-19 measures, the Northern Territory Government has established a Tourism Rebound Taskforce made up of national experts to provide strategic and practical advice on a potential recovery roadmap.

The Taskforce will provide a national and international perspective on forging a pathway to recovery, bringing together leaders from across the tourism sector with expertise in accommodation and hospitality, drive tourism, aviation and touring.

The nine member Tourism Rebound Taskforce is chaired by Tourism NT’s Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Michael Bridge.

Bridge is joined by fellow Board Commissioner, Denis Pierce, Director of Linchpin and member of the National Tourism Restart Taskforce and Helen Martin, Managing Director of Banubanu Wilderness Retreat and Chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council.   

Additional taskforce members are leaders in their industry and include:

- Margy Osmond, Chief Executive of the Tourism & Transport Forum

- Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer for AccorHotels Pacific

- Michaela Webster, Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Parks Group

- Matthew Cameron Smith, Managing Director for AAT Kings

- Peter Savoff, General Manager of the Darwin Convention Centre; and

- Grant Hunt, Chief Executive of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.

Taskforce members have been appointed for an initial one month period (up to 30th May 2020).

The Tourism Rebound Taskforce is a non-statutory body and role and functions of the Tourism Rebound Taskforce are advisory.

Chair of the Tourism Rebound Taskforce, Michael Bridge highlighted that “tourism is the lifeblood of the Territory, which has supported thousands of jobs and thousands of small to medium local businesses.

“We cannot underestimate the impact to our economy as a result of travel restrictions and it is important that we work together to prepare for both a national and global rebound, that will result in greater competition than ever before.

“The Territory needs to come first in our thinking. We need to direct our energies into supporting the sector so they can come out of hibernation mode and get through what will likely be one of our toughest low seasons ever.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner advised “The Territory is one of the great destinations - but how people visit us and enjoy our great lifestyle may never be the same.

“We’ve brought together a champion team and their job is to champion the NT to the rest of the country and the rest of the world.

“We will work with experienced tourism operators to back in locals to recover and adapt and keep Territorians in jobs.

“I can’t tell you when the borders will open again but when they do we will be ready to welcome people with that same Territory spirit.

“Right now the Territory is known as the safest place in Australia, but we are also the greatest place in Australia and I want everyone else to see that too.

Northern Territory Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss added “the NT tourism industry is expected to be one of the hardest hit by the necessary COVID-19 health measures with projected revenue for air transport, touring, attractions, accommodation and hospitality reduced by up to 90%. 

“Tourism is a major employer and contributor to the Northern Territory economy with $2.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supporting 17,100 jobs in the NT, so the steps we take right now towards recovery are critical.”

Image courtesy of Tourism NT