Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well Territory visitors are being encouraged to experience the Northern
Territory during the best Kept season with less crowds, flowing
waterfalls and a chance to immerse in a more authentic territory.
This new collaborative low season campaign between Tourism and Tea, Tourism,
Central Australia, Tourism, Top End and NT major Events company
(00:21):
encourages visitors to explore the Northern Territory's best kept season.
It runs from the second of September to the thirtieth
of November and really highlights the value of traveling during
the low season, including fewer crowds, more deals and dramatic
seasonal experiences. Now joining us on the line is Daniel Rochford,
the CEO of Tourism Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Good Morning Daniel, Morning Katie, and good morning Tea listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Daniel tell us a little bit more about this campaign
and the aim of really trying to get people here
in what we would generally describe as I guess our low.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Season absolutely and so what we're trying to do here
is too really strengthen our shoulder and low seasons across
the territory. From from Darwin to culgra to ensure that
visitors who might naturally not think about the Northern Territory
in that period of time, they might look elsewhere. But
(01:16):
you know, there are some great benefits of coming to
the Northern Territory over our shoulder and low seasons, and
you just enunciated them. The fact that you won't see
as many crowds, so you know you're likely to be
standing in front of Laru with far less people, you know,
experiencing our water holes. You know, the we don't get
(01:37):
it as much as you guys up in Darwen. You
know that sense of being in a squall and a
rain storm. You know those types of things that you
know it's something that's unique and different. And you know,
were wanting to put a call out to the Northern
Territory for us to wall share our best kept secrets
(01:58):
of the of the of the Northern Territory and to
start sharing that with our visitors. To be able to
I guess, to amplify all the nooks and crannies like
we often see in our tourism advertising, the big iconic
pictures of Kakadoo and Ularu. But you know what I
want to see is to really amplify some of all
(02:20):
our nooks and crannies. They're often for us locals, you know,
our little secret.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Well, there's so many wonderful places to visit and I
guess you know, we know it gets hot, there's no
doubt about that. But even in the dry season, it's
hot for some of those visitors from southern states or
from overseas. But you know it doesn't stop people traveling
to Bali or traveling to Singapore or any of the
other warmer locations, even Europe during summer.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah, and certainly for Central Australia. You know, our water
holes are just awesome over summer and you know that's
where you know a lot of people gravitate too, and
you know there's you know, we've got a lot of
all our sort of caleries which are all their conditioned,
but a big chunk of our experiences that we wanted
to amplify that this period for us in Central Australia
(03:07):
is our nighttime experiences. So you know, from an events perspective,
it things like Pajma. But you know we've got a
big focus at the moment with our dark skies here
in Central Australia. You know we've got you know that
people are really genuinely interested in having those experiences and
that's something that we can do because it's at nighttime,
(03:27):
it's a little bit cooler and people are less worried
about the heat.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, I agree. Now, I mean more broadly, how are
things going in Alice Springs at the moment? Daniel? I
guess it's a rebuilding as well to some degree when
it comes to tourism. You and I have spoken at
length over the years about some of the other issues.
How do you reckon it is right now?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, it's certainly turning the corner, Katie, there's no doubt
about that. You know, it was said that the ship
is turning, and we're really you know, seeing some green
buds of optimism. Our drive market, our caravan owners, caravan
puck owners are reporting sort of upwards of sort of
five to ten percent increase year on year, obviously coming
(04:07):
off a really low base. Are we where we want
to be? No? But are we heading in the right direction? Yes?
And that's really pleasing to speak just in taking in
context of you know, all the challenges that we've had
to face here in Central Australia in the last five
years and you and I have talked about in five years.
It's nice to have a little bit of good news,
(04:30):
and you know, there's certainly some green buds of optimism.
And of course we've got the Red Center Natal again,
which is going to go off.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I bet it will, Hey, before I get some more
detail about that. I mean, there was some sad news
I guess you'd say earlier in the week with reports
that the Museum of Central Australia is going to be
closing its doors.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
The what's the Yeah, we're trying to get some more
information around this and what this looks like. But yet
clearly this has been lost. You know, the Museum and
up Galleries of Intia just have publicly Mountain said that,
you know, they're renovating the existing facility to strengthen what
we what we call the Strigulo Center, which is an
(05:09):
important facility here in Alice Springs. But what will be
lost in that will be the tourism functionality of what
was the Museum of Central Australia. There was move to
try and move that to the Desert Park, but there's
been no Moneys for that. This is a big loss
for us, you know, the Museum of Central Australia was
a well loved tourism attraction and you know, we certainly
(05:31):
you know, it's it's hard enough for the small business
owners who don't get a paycheck every boor night, you know,
when governments retracting their services as well. So but I
think this is something you know, in awfulness to M A,
G and T, they had reductions of budgets for the
last ten years and you know, pushes had to come
(05:51):
to Shavon. I think sort of the decision was made
by the previous government, but this is now coming to
light under this government. So you know, we think that
there's an important importance to have a reflection on the
importance of this facility and the fact it needs funding
to get something resurrected.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Do you know if it was like it was, there
a lot of visitors going there.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, well it's part of our Aluin precincts for those
no alys's that's right next to our Luin Center, So
it was within a tourism precinct and people would go
one to the other and the feedback we would get
was really positive. Yes, it was getting dated and it
definitely needed in reinvestment, but yeah, it was you know
(06:39):
feedback we would get in the information centers was always positive.
It was a well loved tourism experience. And yeah, with
that now gone, you know, it makes it just a
little bit harder for us. It's you know, it's you know,
just flies. You know, it's just basically another king chink
in the armor in terms of the challenges that we've
(07:02):
had to face.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Well, one area that we do seem to be going
really well though at the moment, some of those wonderful
events and that event tourism and as you touched on
a moment ago, obviously the Red Scenter NAT's getting underway
this weekend. How is the town looking? People amped up?
Have you got plenty of visitors there?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yes, I think you definitely know when the Red Center.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
NAT's more mullets around.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
We see a few mullets and trucker hat and revving
of vehicles in the streets, but there's some very finely
polished vehicles rolling into town as we speak. And yeah,
the feedback we had the thirtieth anniversary of the Road
Transport Hall of Fame last weekend and a lot of
(07:47):
people who came for that festival are staying on this
for then this weekend, and we had no vacancy signs
around the town last weekend, and I hear that that's
going to be the case this weekend as well, which
is great news. It's just a great you know, it
starts with it on Thursday when we've got the night
markets and then rolls into the Grand Parade and the
(08:10):
various different activities that the event has. So it is
such a well loved event. Locals embrace it, but people
come from far and wide to come, and I understand
this year is going to be a bumper year.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Well, like in terms of the quantification of how many
tourists you kind of get there for something like the
red scentin ATS. I know it's you know, it's too
early to tell, but in previous is like how many
people are we talking so surging into town.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
We're talking thousands to put an no vacancy sign across
the town. You know, that's a thousand odd beds. So
you know, that gives you a gamut of not all
of them are coming for the NATS, but you know,
it gives you an understanding that there's a fairly large
surge in most of those beds of you know, a
couple of people in it, so you know, we're talking
some serious numbers, you know, to put an over. Very
(08:59):
rarely have we seen no vacancy signs over the last
five years with many of our troubles. But yeah, it's
certainly turning the corner where you know, events like this
are now putting out the no vacancy sides. You know,
that's going back to Alice Evold, and you know, I
think we're really keen and eager to see that come
back to play. And I think people, you know, we're
(09:20):
off the front pages of the nation's media, and you know,
the government has certainly been putting a lot of effort
into crime and reduction in the town, and you know
those issues are starting to now you know, they're not
gone away, but they're certainly less prevalent as what they
were two or three years ago. And I think people
were a bit reticent to bring their very shiny cars
(09:40):
to our springs, but I think that's starting to diminish.
We certainly saw that with Think earlier in the year,
and the reports for Think next year is just massive.
It is going to be the biggest Think ever. So
if you haven't booked your accommodation for Fink next year,
I would be getting in contact with Alice Springs informations
(10:02):
that are like straight away and Daniel, why.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Is something changing for next year?
Speaker 2 (10:09):
It's the fiftieth anniversary.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Okay, so everybody wants to get there for that milestone.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's a very special event. And we're certainly hearing reports
from all our events that things are picking up. We
just had Handling on Todd a couple of weeks ago
which was bumper numbers and are really really well attended
and the experience was amazing. So yeah, look, the events
are such a critical plant. We're really looking forward to
(10:34):
Parchum the next year and many of our very iconic
events and that they very much about driving our visitor
economy into the future, and we're keen to support them
and keen to see some new ones.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Now, before I let you go, Daniel, I know that
you know, for us up here in the top end
at the moment, people are so frustrated by the fact
that they still don't know who's going to be the Mea.
They still don't know who are going to be the
aldermen on the councils up here in Darwin, Catherine Litchfield,
all around the place. How are people in Alice Springs
feeling at the moment, Well, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
How I'm feeling because we're one of the candidates. So yeah,
it's a long wait. And you know, I'm in one
of those precarious positions where we have eight counselors on
the Alice Springstown Councilors on primary vote, I'm in eighth
position at the time. So yeah, I look, I'm hopeful
(11:27):
that I get across the line, but that's in the
hands of the people and the electoral commission to count
the vote. So we'll find out on Friday.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, we'll all find out on Friday. I mean, what
do you reckon mayor wise? Do you think it's looking
as though those it sort of seems like the preferences
are going to have a huge part to play when
it comes to the position of me.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Yeah, I think so. And similar to the Darwin Merrill
race as well. You know, we least Marie Bourgoin's just
below Asta and Ellie. I suspect her preferences will elect Ellie.
But you know, I could be wrong on those things.
But that's you know, the community, general community sentiment. But
(12:05):
it was a very strong turnout for asta Hill. I
stood on the early voting center for two weeks and
you know, people were coming up and grabbing astors, how
to vote card and abounding into the early voting center.
So she had a lot of strong political will there
behind her. A lot of people were very supportive of
(12:27):
Eli as well. You know, his experience and long term
tenure on the Alice Springstown Council was not unnoted. So
it will go down to the wire. I suspect it
will only be a few It will be a close election,
but we're kind of used to close elections in Alice Springstown.
Matt Patterson only won by two votes last elections.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yeah, and it's engages too, didn't it.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
And we've got twenty five council candidates buying for eight positions. Wow,
it's been a robust election. Let's say it has been.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
I bet it has been well. Daniel Rochford always good
to catch up with you. We'll talk to you again soon.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Thanks Katie, Thank you,
Well Territory visitors are being encouraged to experience the Northern
Territory during the best Kept season with less crowds, flowing
waterfalls and a chance to immerse in a more authentic territory.
This new collaborative low season campaign between Tourism and Tea, Tourism,
Central Australia, Tourism, Top End and NT major Events company
(00:21):
encourages visitors to explore the Northern Territory's best kept season.
It runs from the second of September to the thirtieth
of November and really highlights the value of traveling during
the low season, including fewer crowds, more deals and dramatic
seasonal experiences. Now joining us on the line is Daniel Rochford,
the CEO of Tourism Central Australia.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Good Morning Daniel, Morning Katie, and good morning Tea listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Daniel tell us a little bit more about this campaign
and the aim of really trying to get people here
in what we would generally describe as I guess our low.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Season absolutely and so what we're trying to do here
is too really strengthen our shoulder and low seasons across
the territory. From from Darwin to culgra to ensure that
visitors who might naturally not think about the Northern Territory
in that period of time, they might look elsewhere. But
(01:16):
you know, there are some great benefits of coming to
the Northern Territory over our shoulder and low seasons, and
you just enunciated them. The fact that you won't see
as many crowds, so you know you're likely to be
standing in front of Laru with far less people, you know,
experiencing our water holes. You know, the we don't get
(01:37):
it as much as you guys up in Darwen. You
know that sense of being in a squall and a
rain storm. You know those types of things that you
know it's something that's unique and different. And you know,
were wanting to put a call out to the Northern
Territory for us to wall share our best kept secrets
(01:58):
of the of the of the Northern Territory and to
start sharing that with our visitors. To be able to
I guess, to amplify all the nooks and crannies like
we often see in our tourism advertising, the big iconic
pictures of Kakadoo and Ularu. But you know what I
want to see is to really amplify some of all
(02:20):
our nooks and crannies. They're often for us locals, you know,
our little secret.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Well, there's so many wonderful places to visit and I
guess you know, we know it gets hot, there's no
doubt about that. But even in the dry season, it's
hot for some of those visitors from southern states or
from overseas. But you know it doesn't stop people traveling
to Bali or traveling to Singapore or any of the
other warmer locations, even Europe during summer.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Yeah, and certainly for Central Australia. You know, our water
holes are just awesome over summer and you know that's
where you know a lot of people gravitate too, and
you know there's you know, we've got a lot of
all our sort of caleries which are all their conditioned,
but a big chunk of our experiences that we wanted
to amplify that this period for us in Central Australia
(03:07):
is our nighttime experiences. So you know, from an events perspective,
it things like Pajma. But you know we've got a
big focus at the moment with our dark skies here
in Central Australia. You know we've got you know that
people are really genuinely interested in having those experiences and
that's something that we can do because it's at nighttime,
(03:27):
it's a little bit cooler and people are less worried
about the heat.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, I agree. Now, I mean more broadly, how are
things going in Alice Springs at the moment? Daniel? I
guess it's a rebuilding as well to some degree when
it comes to tourism. You and I have spoken at
length over the years about some of the other issues.
How do you reckon it is right now?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, it's certainly turning the corner, Katie, there's no doubt
about that. You know, it was said that the ship
is turning, and we're really you know, seeing some green
buds of optimism. Our drive market, our caravan owners, caravan
puck owners are reporting sort of upwards of sort of
five to ten percent increase year on year, obviously coming
(04:07):
off a really low base. Are we where we want
to be? No? But are we heading in the right direction? Yes?
And that's really pleasing to speak just in taking in
context of you know, all the challenges that we've had
to face here in Central Australia in the last five
years and you and I have talked about in five years.
It's nice to have a little bit of good news,
(04:30):
and you know, there's certainly some green buds of optimism.
And of course we've got the Red Center Natal again,
which is going to go off.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
I bet it will, Hey, before I get some more
detail about that. I mean, there was some sad news
I guess you'd say earlier in the week with reports
that the Museum of Central Australia is going to be
closing its doors.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
The what's the Yeah, we're trying to get some more
information around this and what this looks like. But yet
clearly this has been lost. You know, the Museum and
up Galleries of Intia just have publicly Mountain said that,
you know, they're renovating the existing facility to strengthen what
we what we call the Strigulo Center, which is an
(05:09):
important facility here in Alice Springs. But what will be
lost in that will be the tourism functionality of what
was the Museum of Central Australia. There was move to
try and move that to the Desert Park, but there's
been no Moneys for that. This is a big loss
for us, you know, the Museum of Central Australia was
a well loved tourism attraction and you know, we certainly
(05:31):
you know, it's it's hard enough for the small business
owners who don't get a paycheck every boor night, you know,
when governments retracting their services as well. So but I
think this is something you know, in awfulness to M A,
G and T, they had reductions of budgets for the
last ten years and you know, pushes had to come
(05:51):
to Shavon. I think sort of the decision was made
by the previous government, but this is now coming to
light under this government. So you know, we think that
there's an important importance to have a reflection on the
importance of this facility and the fact it needs funding
to get something resurrected.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Do you know if it was like it was, there
a lot of visitors going there.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, well it's part of our Aluin precincts for those
no alys's that's right next to our Luin Center, So
it was within a tourism precinct and people would go
one to the other and the feedback we would get
was really positive. Yes, it was getting dated and it
definitely needed in reinvestment, but yeah, it was you know
(06:39):
feedback we would get in the information centers was always positive.
It was a well loved tourism experience. And yeah, with
that now gone, you know, it makes it just a
little bit harder for us. It's you know, it's you know,
just flies. You know, it's just basically another king chink
in the armor in terms of the challenges that we've
(07:02):
had to face.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Well, one area that we do seem to be going
really well though at the moment, some of those wonderful
events and that event tourism and as you touched on
a moment ago, obviously the Red Scenter NAT's getting underway
this weekend. How is the town looking? People amped up?
Have you got plenty of visitors there?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yes, I think you definitely know when the Red Center.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
NAT's more mullets around.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
We see a few mullets and trucker hat and revving
of vehicles in the streets, but there's some very finely
polished vehicles rolling into town as we speak. And yeah,
the feedback we had the thirtieth anniversary of the Road
Transport Hall of Fame last weekend and a lot of
(07:47):
people who came for that festival are staying on this
for then this weekend, and we had no vacancy signs
around the town last weekend, and I hear that that's
going to be the case this weekend as well, which
is great news. It's just a great you know, it
starts with it on Thursday when we've got the night
markets and then rolls into the Grand Parade and the
(08:10):
various different activities that the event has. So it is
such a well loved event. Locals embrace it, but people
come from far and wide to come, and I understand
this year is going to be a bumper year.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Well, like in terms of the quantification of how many
tourists you kind of get there for something like the
red scentin ATS. I know it's you know, it's too
early to tell, but in previous is like how many
people are we talking so surging into town.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
We're talking thousands to put an no vacancy sign across
the town. You know, that's a thousand odd beds. So
you know, that gives you a gamut of not all
of them are coming for the NATS, but you know,
it gives you an understanding that there's a fairly large
surge in most of those beds of you know, a
couple of people in it, so you know, we're talking
some serious numbers, you know, to put an over. Very
(08:59):
rarely have we seen no vacancy signs over the last
five years with many of our troubles. But yeah, it's
certainly turning the corner where you know, events like this
are now putting out the no vacancy sides. You know,
that's going back to Alice Evold, and you know, I
think we're really keen and eager to see that come
back to play. And I think people, you know, we're
(09:20):
off the front pages of the nation's media, and you know,
the government has certainly been putting a lot of effort
into crime and reduction in the town, and you know
those issues are starting to now you know, they're not
gone away, but they're certainly less prevalent as what they
were two or three years ago. And I think people
were a bit reticent to bring their very shiny cars
(09:40):
to our springs, but I think that's starting to diminish.
We certainly saw that with Think earlier in the year,
and the reports for Think next year is just massive.
It is going to be the biggest Think ever. So
if you haven't booked your accommodation for Fink next year,
I would be getting in contact with Alice Springs informations
(10:02):
that are like straight away and Daniel, why.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Is something changing for next year?
Speaker 2 (10:09):
It's the fiftieth anniversary.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Okay, so everybody wants to get there for that milestone.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's a very special event. And we're certainly hearing reports
from all our events that things are picking up. We
just had Handling on Todd a couple of weeks ago
which was bumper numbers and are really really well attended
and the experience was amazing. So yeah, look, the events
are such a critical plant. We're really looking forward to
(10:34):
Parchum the next year and many of our very iconic
events and that they very much about driving our visitor
economy into the future, and we're keen to support them
and keen to see some new ones.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Now, before I let you go, Daniel, I know that
you know, for us up here in the top end
at the moment, people are so frustrated by the fact
that they still don't know who's going to be the Mea.
They still don't know who are going to be the
aldermen on the councils up here in Darwin, Catherine Litchfield,
all around the place. How are people in Alice Springs
feeling at the moment, Well, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
How I'm feeling because we're one of the candidates. So yeah,
it's a long wait. And you know, I'm in one
of those precarious positions where we have eight counselors on
the Alice Springstown Councilors on primary vote, I'm in eighth
position at the time. So yeah, I look, I'm hopeful
(11:27):
that I get across the line, but that's in the
hands of the people and the electoral commission to count
the vote. So we'll find out on Friday.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Yeah, we'll all find out on Friday. I mean, what
do you reckon mayor wise? Do you think it's looking
as though those it sort of seems like the preferences
are going to have a huge part to play when
it comes to the position of me.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Yeah, I think so. And similar to the Darwin Merrill
race as well. You know, we least Marie Bourgoin's just
below Asta and Ellie. I suspect her preferences will elect Ellie.
But you know, I could be wrong on those things.
But that's you know, the community, general community sentiment. But
(12:05):
it was a very strong turnout for asta Hill. I
stood on the early voting center for two weeks and
you know, people were coming up and grabbing astors, how
to vote card and abounding into the early voting center.
So she had a lot of strong political will there
behind her. A lot of people were very supportive of
(12:27):
Eli as well. You know, his experience and long term
tenure on the Alice Springstown Council was not unnoted. So
it will go down to the wire. I suspect it
will only be a few It will be a close election,
but we're kind of used to close elections in Alice Springstown.
Matt Patterson only won by two votes last elections.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yeah, and it's engages too, didn't it.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
And we've got twenty five council candidates buying for eight positions. Wow,
it's been a robust election. Let's say it has been.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
I bet it has been well. Daniel Rochford always good
to catch up with you. We'll talk to you again soon.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Thanks Katie, Thank you,
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