1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: Tourism Top End General Manager Glenn Henley, Good morning to you, Glenn. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 2: O Katie, good morning, Good morning listening Glenn. 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: How did things go last night and this morning from 4 00:00:10,119 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: your perspective with these half priced flights. 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we've been talking to a lot of people 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 2: this morning and some people have secured those airfairs and 7 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 2: they've been now looking to book their land content, so 8 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 2: that's really good. Equally, there's been a lot of challenge 9 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 2: around what people are their confidence and as I think 10 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 2: you just heard from Daniel that it's not the virus 11 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 2: that people are concerned about. It is in fact they're 12 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 2: concerns around their ability to get home. Yeah, something under 13 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 2: what's happening, and that's the big challenge we face. We 14 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 2: in fact, we had team just last week at the 15 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 2: West Australian Cavan Camping Show and it was really interesting 16 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 2: talking about over forty five thousand West Australians went along 17 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 2: to that event and they were talking about what they're 18 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 2: going to be doing with their vehicles and in heading 19 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 2: north and it was really clear the sentiment that they 20 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 2: will do the West Coast, they'll get up and do 21 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 2: the Kimberley. They do want to get across and spend 22 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 2: some time in the top end. Yeah, but they won't 23 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:12,200 Speaker 2: be venturing further than they It will be straight back 24 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 2: to Western Australia. And part of that was because they 25 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:17,199 Speaker 2: don't want to be caught out. Yeah, that's the challenge 26 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 2: that we faced with this process. 27 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, and this is the problem I guess that we've 28 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: got at the moment. And I did hear you know, 29 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: the national calls as well this morning from your counterparts nationally, 30 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: the Tourism Industry Council I believe it's called Australian Tourism 31 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 1: Industry Council Industry Country. Yeah, and I am reading a 32 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 1: letter that you've sent through to us as well. Yeah, 33 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: this is what sort of what we're seeing from Aussie's 34 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: at the moment is is that not the fear of 35 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: the virus, but that fear of being caught out and 36 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,680 Speaker 1: having to quarantine for fourteen days. 37 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and as we've seen, that can happen to your 38 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 2: mid slide. So that's one of the challenges that are 39 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 2: out there and the sooner to echo Daniel's calls, and 40 00:01:57,240 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 2: that is the cause by Australian Tourism Industry UNFUL and 41 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 2: other organizations on a national level. The faster we can 42 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: get this vaccinate, this vaccine rolled out, the better it 43 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 2: will be for everybody. We've always had a very conservative 44 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 2: approach here because community comes first in the top end. 45 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 2: Our customers are equally important, and it's not business at 46 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 2: all costs, not at all, and it hasn't been that 47 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 2: from the get go. And sooner we can get this 48 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 2: vaccine out, then the better it will be and our 49 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 2: economy can start to ride itself again. 50 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look, I think that it wouldn't only be 51 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: the tourism industry, but there'd be plenty of other industries 52 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: sort of feeling the same way as well and just 53 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: wanting that to happen so that we can try our 54 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 1: best to live as normally as possible in what is 55 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: a new COVID world. 56 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, it goes beyond leisure travelers, right. It's people 57 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:49,399 Speaker 2: wanting to get out into a conference and get face 58 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 2: to face with their clients in business meetings. It's people 59 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:55,399 Speaker 2: wanting to be able to know that they can fly 60 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 2: in manner and poppet of spend time with the kids 61 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 2: in the top end, but and equally that they can 62 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,519 Speaker 2: go back safe or they can fly out and see 63 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 2: their family. So it's affecting all parts of our business. 64 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: And of course from a tourism perspective, it's just not 65 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: the consumer that walks in the door that that our 66 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 2: economy depends on, to all those support industries, that multiplier effect, 67 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: if you like, that that tourism has. And when we've 68 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 2: seen this situation last week with the expedition ships being blocked, 69 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:25,959 Speaker 2: it's not just a cancelation in the hotels and the 70 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: attractions and the tour operators. It's the local produce suppliers 71 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 2: that that that sell to the expedition ships. It's the fuel, 72 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 2: it's the marine mechanics, it's Chris and George and the 73 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 2: great business that they have until now operated down at 74 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 2: the port. The knock on effect once is issuge. We 75 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 2: found that in the last year just how important the 76 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:53,119 Speaker 2: ability to travel is. But equally we know now we're 77 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: very crystal clear that if we can get this back, 78 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 2: then we can do it. And part of that is yes. 79 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 2: And again, Katie, thanks to your great efforts with with 80 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 2: the Federal Minister for Tourism and was that we had 81 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: our AGM this week and everyone took a moment and 82 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: you weren't in the room. Unfortunately that you've got a 83 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: standing ovation from the tourism industry, regale them of your 84 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 2: interview with Dantean. 85 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 3: Oh, thank you, you know, and just the great effort 86 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 3: and the support from our media family in once that 87 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 3: you had seen that in order to be able to 88 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 3: get that and get down on the list. 89 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,160 Speaker 2: It's important ones on the list. So these flights as 90 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 2: you've really got to choose your dates to be able 91 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 2: to travel people coming into the top end. That just 92 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 2: got to be flexible. Yeah, the good deals, yeah, but 93 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 2: they're there. 94 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, And this is the thing, and you know, I 95 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 1: guess everybody's trying their best to be and we all 96 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 1: want to make sure that we're supporting our tourism industry. 97 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 1: But Glenn, how are we looking this weekend as we 98 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: lead into Easter for our wonderful tourism operators in the 99 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: top end. 100 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 2: Yes, a lot of lot of phone calls, lot of 101 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 2: people have deferred their bookings. And that's the real that's 102 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 2: the real challenge that we've got that we're asking visitors 103 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,479 Speaker 2: to the top end. So a lot of caravan parks 104 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: that were people were driving in Fine, those people are 105 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 2: already in the territory and that's okay. But in terms 106 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: of people flying in to pick up a rental vehicle, 107 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: we are seeing and hearing anecdotally people looking to push 108 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 2: back their stay. That said, for local territories, that might 109 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 2: create some opportunities, some last minute opportunities, So keep keep 110 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,559 Speaker 2: an eye out on whatever platform you book your local 111 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 2: accommodation through to see what's available. Should there be some cancelations, 112 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 2: there might be some last minute deals to be done. 113 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:46,679 Speaker 2: But yeah, and again it's we're still depending on getting 114 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 2: the figures through from Queens and this morning as to 115 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 2: what that means. But we can see what a challenge 116 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 2: it has. We see in the Byron Bays Byron Bay 117 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 2: Blues Festival just what's huge economic loss that's been by 118 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 2: virtue of the hotspot that crept into Byron Bay. And 119 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 2: we've got an almighty lineup of events and team major 120 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: events have done a great work in securing the supercars. 121 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 2: We've got Darwin Festival coming up, We've got Based in 122 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 2: the Grass coming up, We've got a whole range, We've 123 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 2: got the Hawks playing the Suns in May. These will 124 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 2: bring visitors to the territory to the top end that 125 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 2: will bring jobs for locals and the sooner we can 126 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: get vaccine rolled out so we can move forward with 127 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 2: these major events that bring people to the top end. 128 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 2: The sooner we can get our convention CenTra and all 129 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 2: our other meeting rooms around around Darwin full of meetings 130 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 2: again as people are coming up and we start to 131 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 2: do commerce again as we knew it and better than before. 132 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Hey, I do want to just ask you very quickly, Glenn. 133 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: I know that it is being reported this morning on 134 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 1: the ABC Ubia is going to be closed by traditional owners. 135 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 1: We know that it would usually be closed at this 136 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 1: time of the year anyway, but there are some concerns 137 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: that it may not open due to the concerns of 138 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: traditional owners. You know, with the management of Kakado. What 139 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: are you hearing at this stage and what kind of 140 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: impact would that have, So. 141 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 2: Katie I, so, firstly, we hope it doesn't come to this. 142 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: And I was on last late night calls last night 143 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 2: with the folks of Parks Australia based here in the 144 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 2: Top End, who believes that they were having meetings as 145 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 2: this was going to air and they were out of 146 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: range yesterday with traditional owners and they were of the 147 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: view that they were being able to progress the concerns 148 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 2: of traditional owners, which is really important. It's one thing 149 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 2: to listen and to another thing to do something about us. Yes, 150 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 2: and they felt so in that call last night that 151 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:59,559 Speaker 2: they felt that that which is out there hopefully won't 152 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 2: be the and they're able to move forward and be 153 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 2: able to listen and action and to get it happening. 154 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 2: You know, there's a new team at Parks Australia. We're 155 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 2: doing everything we can as a tourism industry to work 156 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 2: closely with them but also encouraging them to listen to 157 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 2: the concerns and work with traditional owners. And from a 158 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 2: tourism industry perspective, some of our biggest tourism businesses in 159 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 2: around Kakadu are employed by Aboriginal people, are sorry owned 160 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: by Aboriginal people or employee Aboriginal people. So it's really 161 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 2: key from a tourism perspective where it won with traditional owners. 162 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: And so the late night call I had last night, 163 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: which went for just over an hour, was to allay 164 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 2: concerns and was to that which trying to identify where 165 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 2: that might have come from and also to be able 166 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,679 Speaker 2: to understand if there is something that they were unaware 167 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 2: of that they could get onto that morning. I'm expecting 168 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 2: another call by lunchtime today on a hook up out 169 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 2: to Jabru to get an update on what's happening there right. 170 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: Well, please let us know Glenn when you do have 171 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 1: more information. But as I've said, my understanding is that 172 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: it is closed at the moment any way, and it 173 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: does close at this time of the year, but no 174 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: doubt there'll be plenty of hopefully very constructive discussions to 175 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: ensure that it can open. 176 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 2: Well, there's a great cruise operating where you get picked 177 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 2: up at Midilla Creek where the road is closed, and 178 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 2: we'll take you through the Wetlands Adventure and you can 179 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:30,599 Speaker 2: get out to Uba a gorgeous little tour which is 180 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 2: run by a great Aboriginal corporation business out there. So yes, 181 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: you can get to Abre, but you can't get there 182 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 2: on your own vehicle because you can't get through Midulla Creek. 183 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: Fair enough, Well, Glenn, it is always good to catch 184 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 1: up with you mate. Thank you so very much for 185 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: your time this morning, and we'll talk to you again 186 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: very soon. 187 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 2: Do you have a great listeners, have a great easter 188 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 2: to get out around the top end. 189 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, good idea. 190 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 1: Glenn Hingley there tourism top end general manager and as 191 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 1: you heard from Glenn, you know there may be some cancelations. 192 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: So if you've sort of thought to yourself at different times, 193 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: I wouldn't mind spending a weekend in the city at 194 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 1: the waterfront or you know, one of the other wonderful hotels, 195 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: or going out somewhere, maybe down to Catherine or wherever. Really, 196 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 1: now it might be a good time to jump online 197 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: or give them a call and check it out. You 198 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 1: might actually find yourself a great price and go and 199 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: see the Northern Territory for your Easter weekend.