Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, as we know the issues of crime in Alice
Springs well across the Northern Territory have been having an
impact on locals for some time, but the impact on tourism,
particularly in Central Australia in recent years has been devastating.
Now our listeners have come to know the CEO of
Tourism Central Australia, Daniel Rochford. Well, we certainly love his honesty,
but he's ever optimistic outlook. But the events of recent
(00:23):
weeks have no doubt had an impact. And Daniel joins
me on the line right now. Good morning to you, Daniel.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning Katie, Good morning to you listeners. Daniel.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
How are things going from a tourism perspective in Alice
Springs right now?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Look, we're trying to keep a brave face, Katie, but
you know, obviously the challenges that are before us are
a mens and you know we've we stood COVID. This
as the many of my operators are telling me, is
even worse.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Than COVID, Worse than COVID right now in Alice.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, Look, I have literally seen profit and last statements,
So my members are actually showing that their position at
the moment is actually worse than what they were in COVID.
So you know, that's the enormity of the challenge that's
before us. We've got to keep a brave face. Look,
the message I send out to your listeners today is now,
more than ever, do we need people to come down
(01:16):
to Central Australia visit. You know, it's amazing the time
to visit Central Australia and you know, we really need
your help at the moment.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And this is the thing, Daniel. It is such a
beautiful place, it is such a beautiful time to visit
as well. You know, it's not too cold, it's not
too hot, it's a lovely time of the year. But
you know, the images that have come out of Central
Australia in the last couple of weeks are frightening.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
They are, and we can't not sugarcoat that. You know,
it's certainly going to have an immense impact on the
tourism industry. Not only this time did we see that
world to wall national coverage, but the coverage went international
and global. You know, I've seen reports from Britain, America,
Al Jazeera. It went well wall around the globe and
all talking about the challenges that we have and airing
(02:04):
those challenges. So look that that will obviously have an
impact on us, and we are bracing for what could
be a difficult season ahead, and certainly my members are
telling me that they're seeing cancelations. We've already seen a
major conference fall in May, which is a significant loss
of money to our region.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
How many people were you expecting as part of that conference, I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Not too sure, but it was a very big conference,
and you know, we're you know, that's certainly concerning. We've
heard reports from members that a number of inbound a
couple a couple of inbound tour operators have canceled their
tours moving into the future too, so you know, they're
regular business that many of my members receive. So you
(02:51):
know there is going to be impacts and we're starting
to feel that. But you know, this is on top
of what has been some difficult years. You know, if
this season fails, we will have only had one good
season in the last five and no business can withstand
that barrage.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Daniel, have you seen, i mean, have you seen cancelations
to bookings and forward bookings over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Absolutely, And we obviously we have a booking center at
the Information Center in Alice Springs, and you know, we're
getting cancelations through to that center, but you know, the
members are also reporting cancelations across the board to and
that's certainly one thing that we're just openly trying to
encourage people don't please try and keep your booking. You know,
(03:39):
have faked inness. You know it is an amazing destination,
but please don't cancel.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
In terms of the cancelations that have been received, I mean,
are you able to sort of quantify that for us
for some of those businesses.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Look, we're just about to put a survey out today
asking our membership the quantum of the camper, so I
soon have that figure. But I'm certainly from conversations I've
been having, and what I've been hearing is we've lost
well over a million dollars whether business already just in
the last week.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
In the last week. Yes, oh mate, that is devastating.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, and look, we are very much you know, I
don't want to use the word crisis, but you know,
this is an unprecedented firestorm that has headed our way.
You know, we obviously, I am supportive of the government's
efforts to get calm on the streets, because once we
can get calm on the streets and we can get
(04:42):
back on the front foot again, and certainly the curfew
has been that circuit breaker, and you know, cutos to
the government for making that decision. We need to see
police resourcing remain at a high level. And that's in
the issue that I have said time and time again,
we are sick of dancing this dance, Katie. What happens
(05:04):
is the proverbial hits. The fan leaders like me and
the mayor and many others jump up and down. Government responds,
there's boots sent on to the ground to bolster resourcing.
But slowly and quietly they get retracted back. And we're
already hearing from the police Minister and the police that
they're going to retract the palis off the bottle shops
(05:27):
of some bottle shops and able to bring to you
even as close as next week. So you know, we're
going to start to see that retract back. And guess what,
two weeks, two months, maybe six months, we're going to
dance this dance yet again. And every time we're on
this dance floor, the tourism industry gets put under the bus.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
It's like, it's absolutely unbelievable just how big an impact
it would be having on tourism. I mean, a million
dollars in cancelations over the last week is a phenomenal figure.
In addition to there being that long term plan. And
let's make no bones about it, you and I have
spoken about this so many times, even towards the beginning
of last year. You know, we're talking about the long
(06:08):
term plans and the short term solutions and spoke about
it on numerous occasions. But like you said, we're still
dancing that dance. So there is no doubt that there
needs to be some really serious, serious plans put in
place this week. My understanding is that the chiefment is
is going to be back there over the coming days. Daniel,
what do you know?
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, I think that's certainly the case. And I'm actually
participating in at a forum that her department has put
on today where she's gathered all the key CEOs of
all the agencies and the town to come together to
get some sort of strategy in place. It's really critical,
Katie get and we're also pretty simple. We've seen through
(06:51):
Operation Dreena and are now Operation Greument all that if
you add extra resources into this town, the town stabilizes.
We need this not to be a two week window.
We need this to be three hundred and sixty five
days a year. We need additional resources. The evidence shows
that when additional resources are thrown at Alice Springs, the
(07:13):
town stabilizers. So if we don't have the resources, then
someone needs to pick up the phone to try and
gather those resources. Whether they're from South Australia and qune up.
Again to the government for making that call. But if
it's not them, it must be the federal place. You know,
we must bolster those resourcing.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Daniel, in terms of the assistance for tourism operators, I mean,
does there need to be some kind of COVID post
COVID COVID like assistance, no.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Doubt, and where we're gathering our membership later this week
to have that discussion. Look, this is well beyond having
a discount program or voucher programs. This is this is
that we are in desperate need of additional major support.
And that's one of the reasons late last week I
(08:01):
called for federal support because quite honestly and with all
due respect, because the government government has supported the tourism industry,
both through COVID and more recently. In fact, there's still
the twenty five percent discount program in play. But the
resourceing that we need to get forward is way beyond
the means of the Northern Territory government. That's why I
(08:22):
think the federal government needs to step in here. We
need an economic recovery plan for Central Australia and that's
more than just tourism, but obviously tourism plays a pretty
important role in that recovery plan.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Has the Federal Tourism Minister been to Alice Springs in
recent weeks or months?
Speaker 2 (08:39):
No, No, not to my knowledge. He's certainly been up
in Darwin recently and you know I've had a very
quick discussion within there. But you know, we have a
very collegiate relationship with maryon Scrimjewish. He's always welcoming and
the tourism industry is important, you know. But the message
is very clear, we're on our knees at the moment
and we need help.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Well, look, it sounds as though the door is absolutely
opened for the Federal Tourism Minister to come for a visit,
come and have a discussion with you guys. I know
you're speaking, like you said to marianscrim Jaw, but to
really come and hear the concerns now of tourism operators
in Central Australia as you are on your knees, Yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
That message is really an important one. To hear it
from people who are earning an income through operating a business,
who don't get a wage, a fortnightly wage like me,
but to hear it from our business owners themselves, to
hear the like the mental health challenges that they're facing
as a result of not knowing whether they've got enough money.
(09:40):
You know, we've got major businesses, iconic businesses that are
just doing it so tough at the moment. And these
are businesses if we lose them or they're lost forever.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Well. And you know the point you made there. There's
so many good points that you made there, but the
point you made about you know, for those of us
that earn a wage every week, every fortnight, I don't
really have a true comprehension of the impact that these
kinds of you know, these kinds of incidents and the
issues of crime and the long term impact that it
has on those operators that you know that they're not
(10:13):
rely or they can't rely on a regular wage. They
are absolutely reliant on those tourists coming to the Northern
Territory and spending time in Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Yeah, and that's why you know, again passionate play outs
earlier is that back as could please come and visit
them to Australia now more than ever because with that
support that those moneies go through the coppers of these
small businesses who have been doing it tough. You know,
they're just trying to you know, the backbone of our
regional economy. They're the backbone of our community. But they're
(10:47):
crying for help at the moment. And you know, unfortunately
Easter was you know, normally the period of time where
we launch into a good tourism season, but this year
Easter was far from We saw businesses reporting losses over
in the Easter period.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Daniel. It's really really tough to hear. I think like
for anybody listening this morning, they will be feeling for
you guys. And as you said, you know, if you're
able to get to Central Australia and go there and
see some of the amazing wonders that we have in
Central Australia, do so, Daniel Rochford, I really appreciate your
time as.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Always, Thanks Gati. Impressing, thank you.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Thanks mate,
Well, as we know the issues of crime in Alice
Springs well across the Northern Territory have been having an
impact on locals for some time, but the impact on tourism,
particularly in Central Australia in recent years has been devastating.
Now our listeners have come to know the CEO of
Tourism Central Australia, Daniel Rochford. Well, we certainly love his honesty,
but he's ever optimistic outlook. But the events of recent
(00:23):
weeks have no doubt had an impact. And Daniel joins
me on the line right now. Good morning to you, Daniel.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning Katie, Good morning to you listeners. Daniel.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
How are things going from a tourism perspective in Alice
Springs right now?
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Look, we're trying to keep a brave face, Katie, but
you know, obviously the challenges that are before us are
a mens and you know we've we stood COVID. This
as the many of my operators are telling me, is
even worse.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Than COVID, Worse than COVID right now in Alice.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Yeah, Look, I have literally seen profit and last statements,
So my members are actually showing that their position at
the moment is actually worse than what they were in COVID.
So you know, that's the enormity of the challenge that's
before us. We've got to keep a brave face. Look,
the message I send out to your listeners today is now,
more than ever, do we need people to come down
(01:16):
to Central Australia visit. You know, it's amazing the time
to visit Central Australia and you know, we really need
your help at the moment.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
And this is the thing, Daniel. It is such a
beautiful place, it is such a beautiful time to visit
as well. You know, it's not too cold, it's not
too hot, it's a lovely time of the year. But
you know, the images that have come out of Central
Australia in the last couple of weeks are frightening.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
They are, and we can't not sugarcoat that. You know,
it's certainly going to have an immense impact on the
tourism industry. Not only this time did we see that
world to wall national coverage, but the coverage went international
and global. You know, I've seen reports from Britain, America,
Al Jazeera. It went well wall around the globe and
all talking about the challenges that we have and airing
(02:04):
those challenges. So look that that will obviously have an
impact on us, and we are bracing for what could
be a difficult season ahead, and certainly my members are
telling me that they're seeing cancelations. We've already seen a
major conference fall in May, which is a significant loss
of money to our region.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
How many people were you expecting as part of that conference, I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Not too sure, but it was a very big conference,
and you know, we're you know, that's certainly concerning. We've
heard reports from members that a number of inbound a
couple a couple of inbound tour operators have canceled their
tours moving into the future too, so you know, they're
regular business that many of my members receive. So you
(02:51):
know there is going to be impacts and we're starting
to feel that. But you know, this is on top
of what has been some difficult years. You know, if
this season fails, we will have only had one good
season in the last five and no business can withstand
that barrage.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Daniel, have you seen, i mean, have you seen cancelations
to bookings and forward bookings over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Absolutely, And we obviously we have a booking center at
the Information Center in Alice Springs, and you know, we're
getting cancelations through to that center, but you know, the
members are also reporting cancelations across the board to and
that's certainly one thing that we're just openly trying to
encourage people don't please try and keep your booking. You know,
(03:39):
have faked inness. You know it is an amazing destination,
but please don't cancel.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
In terms of the cancelations that have been received, I mean,
are you able to sort of quantify that for us
for some of those businesses.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Look, we're just about to put a survey out today
asking our membership the quantum of the camper, so I
soon have that figure. But I'm certainly from conversations I've
been having, and what I've been hearing is we've lost
well over a million dollars whether business already just in
the last week.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
In the last week. Yes, oh mate, that is devastating.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, and look, we are very much you know, I
don't want to use the word crisis, but you know,
this is an unprecedented firestorm that has headed our way.
You know, we obviously, I am supportive of the government's
efforts to get calm on the streets, because once we
can get calm on the streets and we can get
(04:42):
back on the front foot again, and certainly the curfew
has been that circuit breaker, and you know, cutos to
the government for making that decision. We need to see
police resourcing remain at a high level. And that's in
the issue that I have said time and time again,
we are sick of dancing this dance, Katie. What happens
(05:04):
is the proverbial hits. The fan leaders like me and
the mayor and many others jump up and down. Government responds,
there's boots sent on to the ground to bolster resourcing.
But slowly and quietly they get retracted back. And we're
already hearing from the police Minister and the police that
they're going to retract the palis off the bottle shops
(05:27):
of some bottle shops and able to bring to you
even as close as next week. So you know, we're
going to start to see that retract back. And guess what,
two weeks, two months, maybe six months, we're going to
dance this dance yet again. And every time we're on
this dance floor, the tourism industry gets put under the bus.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
It's like, it's absolutely unbelievable just how big an impact
it would be having on tourism. I mean, a million
dollars in cancelations over the last week is a phenomenal figure.
In addition to there being that long term plan. And
let's make no bones about it, you and I have
spoken about this so many times, even towards the beginning
of last year. You know, we're talking about the long
(06:08):
term plans and the short term solutions and spoke about
it on numerous occasions. But like you said, we're still
dancing that dance. So there is no doubt that there
needs to be some really serious, serious plans put in
place this week. My understanding is that the chiefment is
is going to be back there over the coming days. Daniel,
what do you know?
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, I think that's certainly the case. And I'm actually
participating in at a forum that her department has put
on today where she's gathered all the key CEOs of
all the agencies and the town to come together to
get some sort of strategy in place. It's really critical,
Katie get and we're also pretty simple. We've seen through
(06:51):
Operation Dreena and are now Operation Greument all that if
you add extra resources into this town, the town stabilizes.
We need this not to be a two week window.
We need this to be three hundred and sixty five
days a year. We need additional resources. The evidence shows
that when additional resources are thrown at Alice Springs, the
(07:13):
town stabilizers. So if we don't have the resources, then
someone needs to pick up the phone to try and
gather those resources. Whether they're from South Australia and qune up.
Again to the government for making that call. But if
it's not them, it must be the federal place. You know,
we must bolster those resourcing.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Daniel, in terms of the assistance for tourism operators, I mean,
does there need to be some kind of COVID post
COVID COVID like assistance, no.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Doubt, and where we're gathering our membership later this week
to have that discussion. Look, this is well beyond having
a discount program or voucher programs. This is this is
that we are in desperate need of additional major support.
And that's one of the reasons late last week I
(08:01):
called for federal support because quite honestly and with all
due respect, because the government government has supported the tourism industry,
both through COVID and more recently. In fact, there's still
the twenty five percent discount program in play. But the
resourceing that we need to get forward is way beyond
the means of the Northern Territory government. That's why I
(08:22):
think the federal government needs to step in here. We
need an economic recovery plan for Central Australia and that's
more than just tourism, but obviously tourism plays a pretty
important role in that recovery plan.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Has the Federal Tourism Minister been to Alice Springs in
recent weeks or months?
Speaker 2 (08:39):
No, No, not to my knowledge. He's certainly been up
in Darwin recently and you know I've had a very
quick discussion within there. But you know, we have a
very collegiate relationship with maryon Scrimjewish. He's always welcoming and
the tourism industry is important, you know. But the message
is very clear, we're on our knees at the moment
and we need help.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Well, look, it sounds as though the door is absolutely
opened for the Federal Tourism Minister to come for a visit,
come and have a discussion with you guys. I know
you're speaking, like you said to marianscrim Jaw, but to
really come and hear the concerns now of tourism operators
in Central Australia as you are on your knees, Yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
That message is really an important one. To hear it
from people who are earning an income through operating a business,
who don't get a wage, a fortnightly wage like me,
but to hear it from our business owners themselves, to
hear the like the mental health challenges that they're facing
as a result of not knowing whether they've got enough money.
(09:40):
You know, we've got major businesses, iconic businesses that are
just doing it so tough at the moment. And these
are businesses if we lose them or they're lost forever.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Well. And you know the point you made there. There's
so many good points that you made there, but the
point you made about you know, for those of us
that earn a wage every week, every fortnight, I don't
really have a true comprehension of the impact that these
kinds of you know, these kinds of incidents and the
issues of crime and the long term impact that it
has on those operators that you know that they're not
(10:13):
rely or they can't rely on a regular wage. They
are absolutely reliant on those tourists coming to the Northern
Territory and spending time in Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Yeah, and that's why you know, again passionate play outs
earlier is that back as could please come and visit
them to Australia now more than ever because with that
support that those moneies go through the coppers of these
small businesses who have been doing it tough. You know,
they're just trying to you know, the backbone of our
regional economy. They're the backbone of our community. But they're
(10:47):
crying for help at the moment. And you know, unfortunately
Easter was you know, normally the period of time where
we launch into a good tourism season, but this year
Easter was far from We saw businesses reporting losses over
in the Easter period.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Daniel. It's really really tough to hear. I think like
for anybody listening this morning, they will be feeling for
you guys. And as you said, you know, if you're
able to get to Central Australia and go there and
see some of the amazing wonders that we have in
Central Australia, do so, Daniel Rochford, I really appreciate your
time as.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Always, Thanks Gati. Impressing, thank you.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Thanks mate,
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