November 3, 2025 • 8 mins
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We know that the launch of a four day conference
has just finished at the Novtel on the Esplanade Well
on all Things Tourism and Hospitality. Destination INT brings together
key events to celebrate, grow and strengthen the Nties visitor economy.
It's going to finish with the celebration of industry excellence
at the twenty twenty five Brolger Northern Territory Awards, and
(00:22):
the Tourism Minister Mary Clare Boothby joins me on the line.
Good morning to your minister.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good morning Katie and to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Now tell me how how did things go this morning?
Of course, first off with this launch and how is
this conference going to be different to other tourism conferences
that we've seen.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, okay, I've just stepped out of the conference. Actually
they are still going, just for a bit longer this morning.
But yeah, this basically is different because for the first
time we listened to industry who wanted to have the
almost week long conference, you know, all the one time,
rather than being spread out over the year. And of
course we're on the back of a really strong dry
(01:03):
season that we've had, but we've also had the sort
of shoulder season, the off peak, continuing to bring visitors
to the Northern Territory and continuing to see them spend here.
And of course this allows for us to launch our
Visitor Economy Strategy, which is exactly what I've just done
this morning at the conference, and it's bringing the whole
(01:25):
industry together. I mean, you met listeners may remember that
when we first came to government, we put together under
the one roof, you know, parks and wildlife and tourism
and hospitality. Of course I'm the Minister for racing as
well and major events. And we've taken it a step
further and we're actually merging tourism and major events together.
(01:46):
And so this Visitor Economy Strategy looks at not just
tourism or not just major events, but the visitors as
a whole coming together. And we really wanted to make
sure the industry were the ones that led the act
that came out of the Visitor Economy Strategy, and so
today is all about starting off to talk about that
even further, I guess because they've already been out talking
(02:09):
about this for a number of month, visiting all the
regions to get the feedback about what the industry is
looking for and.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Minister, I mean when you look at this strategy, so
the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy twenty thirty two, how
might we do things a bit differently or how bold
are we going to be, you know, thinking here in
terms of what we could do to really try to
increase the tourism numbers.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, and we are being quite bold, especially if we
compare ourselves to other jurisdictions around the country. Katie. We're
going to grow the visitor economy from one point five
billion dollars of spending to two point two billion dollars
over that seven years. It is quite bold. But because
we are working in collaboration across the industry of tourism, events,
(03:00):
you know, and hospitality and of course racing. We know
that people come to the Northern Territory for a lot
of different reasons. And those reasons are not just leisure anymore.
Like they include things like events and business and study, culture, adventure,
you know, all these reasons that bring people here, and
we want everybody working together to leverage I guess the
(03:22):
best bang for buck. You know, we've only got limited resources,
and if we come together and you know, market those
things and sell those things collectively, then we can actually
get them to not stay a bit longer or you know,
just travel around a bit further. But we see that
it's a very realistic goal to be able to achieve.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
I mean, one point five billion to two point two
billion dollars. It's a huge amount of money. You know,
is it just doing things a little bit better or
do we need to look at sort of you know,
introducing some new tourism attractions as well.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Yeah. I think one of the things that in industry
told us really loud and clear during the consultation we've
done around this is that there's a lot of things
that make us very different in the Northern Territory and
the reasons why people come. And one of those things
is our territory spirit. And so that's the characters if
you like, of all those, you know, the tool operator
that's got quite a strong character that allows people to
(04:20):
remember that for a lifetime as an example. But it
also highlighted the need for that, you know, investment in infrastructure,
investment in our workforce, investment in the access sorry the
access and the innovation and the technology that is needed.
And that's why it's so important that we all work
(04:42):
together on doing this because government alone can't do something,
industry alone can't do something, but together we're actually a
really great force to be reckoned with. And so with
the merging of those two powerhouse entities, with the staff
in the department focusing, we've got a new stay sorry,
new chief marketing officer in Stacy Melman. She's come over
(05:04):
from the USA. Her role is to get to know
the tourism and products of the industry and to drive
visitation in those shoulder and off peaks tourism seasons because
that's where we can leverage the most. I mean, we
know that we love living here during that time. We've
got so much to offer, and we know that our
visitors can explore and love that too, But we just
(05:24):
have to show them what we have and get them
to come here for those reasons as well, like what.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
About somewhere like Silkwood that we spoke about earlier in
the year, you know, the government acquiring silkwood and looking
at that, you know, to mountain bike, to four wheel drive,
to do those adventurous things that we all love doing
in the Northern Territory, but potentially try to get more
people here to.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Do it exactly, and we know that's part of one
of the reasons that people come to visit the territory.
I mean Stilkwood as an example. It's a really rugged
sort of landscape and like you say, the mountain bikers
and the full war Drive is just a perfect lo
pation for not only locals but visitors to go out
and explore. And so we did purchase that a number
(06:07):
of months ago now and the work just to make
sure that we can keep that going. And I guess,
look at some what investment needs to go in there
to be able to make it where it's you know,
the signage or if it's clearing or some sort of
weed management, whatever it is, it needs to be done
to make sure that when our visitors come, they are
directed in that way and then they go out and explore.
(06:30):
And I think it's certainly one of the things that
makes us very unique compared to the rest of the world.
And the other thing Katie is I might add is
that the more people who are discovering the Northern Territory
as a special place also converts to people who want
to end up living here. You know, you get that
experience and it gets under your skin. And people just
don't want to leave, which is exactly what we want.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Well, we can only hope Minister before I let you go,
you are indeed the Minister for racing as well. Who
were your tips for the Melbourne Cup today?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Oh my gosh, I forgot that you may actually ask
me about that. I'm up to the racers very shortly
and I need to get the form guide out. I
guess if any of your listeners have a tip for me,
let me know.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Well, I can give you a couple. You know, I'm
having a look at right now because we just caught
up with thoroughbred racing into CEO, and we know that
we've got an Alice Springs will a former Alice Springs boy,
Ethan Brown on number seven Middle Earth, so he's worth
having a look at. But then we've also got a
couple of ladies racing as well. Half yours is meant
(07:31):
to be a fairly good one. Number fourteen, that's Jamie Melman.
And then I did get told there was another female
jockey as well, So look, miss Rachel King. By the
look of us, number three, there's a few, but I'll
let you do your own homework.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Oh look, I really want to go go for the
Alice Springs one I know, to go for our locals.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
I will say though the Mayor of Catherine was gloating
a little bit earlier because she's had two we had
two of the territorians recognized over in the Australian of
the Year for the Northern Territory Awards from Catherine and
she said, just based on the name, she was going
to go with River of Stars because she felt like
that reflected for Catherine.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I tell you what, Catherine's been doing very well. They
also won a number of the bowls at the lux Effectival,
so they really are stepping it up over there and
Catherine loving it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
No, it's good. I love to see that regional pride well.
Minister of Tourism, Mary Clare Booby, really good to speak
with you this morning. I appreciate your.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Time, no word. I hope you're back a winner.
We know that the launch of a four day conference
has just finished at the Novtel on the Esplanade Well
on all Things Tourism and Hospitality. Destination INT brings together
key events to celebrate, grow and strengthen the Nties visitor economy.
It's going to finish with the celebration of industry excellence
at the twenty twenty five Brolger Northern Territory Awards, and
(00:22):
the Tourism Minister Mary Clare Boothby joins me on the line.
Good morning to your minister.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good morning Katie and to your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Now tell me how how did things go this morning?
Of course, first off with this launch and how is
this conference going to be different to other tourism conferences
that we've seen.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, okay, I've just stepped out of the conference. Actually
they are still going, just for a bit longer this morning.
But yeah, this basically is different because for the first
time we listened to industry who wanted to have the
almost week long conference, you know, all the one time,
rather than being spread out over the year. And of
course we're on the back of a really strong dry
(01:03):
season that we've had, but we've also had the sort
of shoulder season, the off peak, continuing to bring visitors
to the Northern Territory and continuing to see them spend here.
And of course this allows for us to launch our
Visitor Economy Strategy, which is exactly what I've just done
this morning at the conference, and it's bringing the whole
(01:25):
industry together. I mean, you met listeners may remember that
when we first came to government, we put together under
the one roof, you know, parks and wildlife and tourism
and hospitality. Of course I'm the Minister for racing as
well and major events. And we've taken it a step
further and we're actually merging tourism and major events together.
(01:46):
And so this Visitor Economy Strategy looks at not just
tourism or not just major events, but the visitors as
a whole coming together. And we really wanted to make
sure the industry were the ones that led the act
that came out of the Visitor Economy Strategy, and so
today is all about starting off to talk about that
even further, I guess because they've already been out talking
(02:09):
about this for a number of month, visiting all the
regions to get the feedback about what the industry is
looking for and.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Minister, I mean when you look at this strategy, so
the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy twenty thirty two, how
might we do things a bit differently or how bold
are we going to be, you know, thinking here in
terms of what we could do to really try to
increase the tourism numbers.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, and we are being quite bold, especially if we
compare ourselves to other jurisdictions around the country. Katie. We're
going to grow the visitor economy from one point five
billion dollars of spending to two point two billion dollars
over that seven years. It is quite bold. But because
we are working in collaboration across the industry of tourism, events,
(03:00):
you know, and hospitality and of course racing. We know
that people come to the Northern Territory for a lot
of different reasons. And those reasons are not just leisure anymore.
Like they include things like events and business and study, culture, adventure,
you know, all these reasons that bring people here, and
we want everybody working together to leverage I guess the
(03:22):
best bang for buck. You know, we've only got limited resources,
and if we come together and you know, market those
things and sell those things collectively, then we can actually
get them to not stay a bit longer or you know,
just travel around a bit further. But we see that
it's a very realistic goal to be able to achieve.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
I mean, one point five billion to two point two
billion dollars. It's a huge amount of money. You know,
is it just doing things a little bit better or
do we need to look at sort of you know,
introducing some new tourism attractions as well.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Yeah. I think one of the things that in industry
told us really loud and clear during the consultation we've
done around this is that there's a lot of things
that make us very different in the Northern Territory and
the reasons why people come. And one of those things
is our territory spirit. And so that's the characters if
you like, of all those, you know, the tool operator
that's got quite a strong character that allows people to
(04:20):
remember that for a lifetime as an example. But it
also highlighted the need for that, you know, investment in infrastructure,
investment in our workforce, investment in the access sorry the
access and the innovation and the technology that is needed.
And that's why it's so important that we all work
(04:42):
together on doing this because government alone can't do something,
industry alone can't do something, but together we're actually a
really great force to be reckoned with. And so with
the merging of those two powerhouse entities, with the staff
in the department focusing, we've got a new stay sorry,
new chief marketing officer in Stacy Melman. She's come over
(05:04):
from the USA. Her role is to get to know
the tourism and products of the industry and to drive
visitation in those shoulder and off peaks tourism seasons because
that's where we can leverage the most. I mean, we
know that we love living here during that time. We've
got so much to offer, and we know that our
visitors can explore and love that too, But we just
(05:24):
have to show them what we have and get them
to come here for those reasons as well, like what.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
About somewhere like Silkwood that we spoke about earlier in
the year, you know, the government acquiring silkwood and looking
at that, you know, to mountain bike, to four wheel drive,
to do those adventurous things that we all love doing
in the Northern Territory, but potentially try to get more
people here to.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Do it exactly, and we know that's part of one
of the reasons that people come to visit the territory.
I mean Stilkwood as an example. It's a really rugged
sort of landscape and like you say, the mountain bikers
and the full war Drive is just a perfect lo
pation for not only locals but visitors to go out
and explore. And so we did purchase that a number
(06:07):
of months ago now and the work just to make
sure that we can keep that going. And I guess,
look at some what investment needs to go in there
to be able to make it where it's you know,
the signage or if it's clearing or some sort of
weed management, whatever it is, it needs to be done
to make sure that when our visitors come, they are
directed in that way and then they go out and explore.
(06:30):
And I think it's certainly one of the things that
makes us very unique compared to the rest of the world.
And the other thing Katie is I might add is
that the more people who are discovering the Northern Territory
as a special place also converts to people who want
to end up living here. You know, you get that
experience and it gets under your skin. And people just
don't want to leave, which is exactly what we want.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Well, we can only hope Minister before I let you go,
you are indeed the Minister for racing as well. Who
were your tips for the Melbourne Cup today?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Oh my gosh, I forgot that you may actually ask
me about that. I'm up to the racers very shortly
and I need to get the form guide out. I
guess if any of your listeners have a tip for me,
let me know.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Well, I can give you a couple. You know, I'm
having a look at right now because we just caught
up with thoroughbred racing into CEO, and we know that
we've got an Alice Springs will a former Alice Springs boy,
Ethan Brown on number seven Middle Earth, so he's worth
having a look at. But then we've also got a
couple of ladies racing as well. Half yours is meant
(07:31):
to be a fairly good one. Number fourteen, that's Jamie Melman.
And then I did get told there was another female
jockey as well, So look, miss Rachel King. By the
look of us, number three, there's a few, but I'll
let you do your own homework.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Oh look, I really want to go go for the
Alice Springs one I know, to go for our locals.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
I will say though the Mayor of Catherine was gloating
a little bit earlier because she's had two we had
two of the territorians recognized over in the Australian of
the Year for the Northern Territory Awards from Catherine and
she said, just based on the name, she was going
to go with River of Stars because she felt like
that reflected for Catherine.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I tell you what, Catherine's been doing very well. They
also won a number of the bowls at the lux Effectival,
so they really are stepping it up over there and
Catherine loving it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
No, it's good. I love to see that regional pride well.
Minister of Tourism, Mary Clare Booby, really good to speak
with you this morning. I appreciate your.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Time, no word. I hope you're back a winner.
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