Annual report cards tracking the progress of six Destination Management Plans (DMPs) for the Territory tourism regions of Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges, Greater Darwin, East Arnhem Land, Big Rivers, Barkly and Lasseter regions have been released.
Identifying key strengths and assets across NT tourism regions, DMPs provide a comprehensive overview of comparative advantages, current product offerings and visitor profiles.
A roadmap for future tourism development and investment, each DMP has identified actions to activate opportunities, address gaps and prioritise product development whilst encouraging growth in the sustainable tourism sector.
As a key action of the Northern Territory's Tourism Industry Strategy 2030, the DMPs for the Big Rivers and three Central Australia regions (Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly and Lasseter) were completed in late 2020, the East Arnhem Land DMP completed in November 2021, and the Greater Darwin region DMP completed in May 2022.
Tourism NT led the development of the DMPs, with actions and regular monitoring and evaluation overseen by project implementation teams that includes representatives from Tourism NT, Regional Tourism Organisations, Land Councils, Regional Councils as well as NT Government departments.
Progress and regional achievements in each destination are attributed to collective stakeholder groups including the project implementation teams, the Australian Government and the NT tourism industry.
To view the Destination Management Plans and the latest report cards go to tourismnt.com.au/strategies/regional-destination-plans here
Quotes from Marketing Executive Director Tony Quarmby:
"Destination Management Plans are recognised nationally as the best way forward to deliver activities and outcomes for regional tourism.
"To achieve the Northern Territory's Tourism Industry Strategy 2030 targets and continue the sustainable growth of the tourism sector in the NT the unique advantage of each region must be enhanced, which in turn will deliver more visitors and longer regional stays.
"The Destination Management Plans also help to strengthen relationships with neighbouring regions and states, enhancing existing self-drive road journeys."
