1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,040 Speaker 1: We have spoken a lot about Alice Springs in the 2 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: last week for obvious reasons, and I did give you 3 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: an update on that situation just a couple of moments ago. 4 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: But there is a lot happening in the Red Center 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: on a really positive note, and we know that thousands 6 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: are expected to flock to Central Australia this weekend for 7 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: the Fink Desert Race and off road multi terrain two 8 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,959 Speaker 1: day race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country 9 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: from Alice Springs to the Fink community and joining me 10 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 1: live on the line to talk about this and plenty more. 11 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: It is Tourism Central Australia CEO Daniel Rochford. 12 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: Good morning Daniel, Good morning Katie, and good morning to you. 13 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: Listen it, Daniel, there's plenty happening in Central Australia at 14 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: the moment. How many people are we expecting to converge 15 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 1: on Central Australia this weekend for the Fink. 16 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:53,239 Speaker 2: Well, we'll see no vacancy signs and people lighting up 17 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 2: along the Fink route over the weekend, so it's going 18 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 2: to be a bumper crowd expected and you know it's 19 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:04,960 Speaker 2: certainly a huge boost for our local economy. Great injection 20 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 2: for tourism, but also amazing for our local community, which 21 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:11,760 Speaker 2: as you've been talking about, has had some challenges in 22 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: the last few days and weeks. But you know, this 23 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 2: is a great opportunity to celebrate amazing events and also 24 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 2: publicly too. Katie, hats off to all those who make 25 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 2: this happen because it's not an easy thing to put 26 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 2: together and it's such an iconic part of our event calendar. 27 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,759 Speaker 1: Yeah, it'd be really difficult, I reckon to put together 28 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: when you look at public liability, insurance and all that 29 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: kind of thing, you know, and it's something that is 30 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: such a like an iconic event and one which we 31 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: see people from all around Australia and around the world. 32 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 2: Right Yeah, indeed this event gets publicized right around the world, 33 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 2: so you know, the focus will be on Central Australia 34 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 2: this weekend and looking at the various different outcomes that 35 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 2: will happen as a result of the race, and you 36 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 2: know all the nique nature of the event. So look, 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 2: you know it's a really important part and a really 38 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 2: lovely part of Central Australia. Starts on Thursday night with 39 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 2: our night markets here, which is one of the biggest 40 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 2: night markets of the year, and of course you know 41 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 2: we're all restarting to see the procession of people coming 42 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 2: into town. They're provisioning up at our local shops and 43 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 2: they're getting ready for what will be a big weekend. 44 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,839 Speaker 1: Is there also, I mean is there? I know there's 45 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: obviously a lot that lots of people camping along the 46 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: track along the way and that kind of thing you 47 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 1: said the night markets tonight. Is there other events sort 48 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 1: of in town that are associated with the Think as well. 49 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's a lot of events, especially around the casino 50 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 2: and at the actual event just south of the gap. 51 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 2: So look where you know, it is such an important 52 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 2: part of our event calendar, and you know it's a 53 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 2: lot of color and light and attached to it, and 54 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 2: you know it's a really important boost to our local 55 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 2: economy and a lot of our industry really look to 56 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 2: Think as being that sort of opportunity to supercharge the 57 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 2: bank the hunters of our tourism industry, and you know 58 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 2: this is certainly the case. And look positively, you know 59 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 2: the feedback I'm getting from operators here in Central Australia's 60 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 2: the next month and a half in particular, with many 61 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 2: other events that are coming online. We've got the iconic 62 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 2: Beanie Festival, We've got the Desert Festival and many and 63 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: of course the ending on Todd Regatta. So you know, 64 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,639 Speaker 2: it's all happening here in Central Australia over the next 65 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 2: few months, and you know, we're certainly looking at down 66 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 2: the barrel of a bumper crowd and all of those events. 67 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 1: How are things going more generally for our tourism operators 68 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: at the moment. I mean, obviously we touched on the 69 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: fact that there has been you know, a lot, a 70 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: lot happening over the last week or so, but how 71 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: are things going for our tourism operators. 72 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 2: It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be fair, Katie. 73 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 2: We've got some operators doing relatively well and certainly you know, 74 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 2: our events are pulling people. The garn is still doing 75 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 2: relatively well, and in particular you know at our corporate 76 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 2: hotels are doing okay. But beyond that, there's still a 77 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 2: lot of fragility, especially with the businesses that rely solely 78 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 2: on the leisure tourism market. And you know, I am 79 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,599 Speaker 2: still getting reports from members saying that things are still 80 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 2: not positive, and some reporting that they're even down on 81 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 2: last year, which, of course, as you recall from our 82 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 2: discussions previously, was a pretty catastrophic year. So it is not, 83 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 2: you know, where we want it to be, and you know, 84 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: that's one of the reasons why we pushed very hard 85 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 2: the federal government to get some form of recovery package, 86 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 2: and during the course of the election we received announcement 87 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 2: of eight point five million dollars of funding support which 88 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 2: will help marketing and also encourage development opportunities for Central 89 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 2: Australian tourism. So that money is we're working with the 90 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: Federal government at the moment to try and get that 91 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 2: money flowing, and obviously we're working very closely with the 92 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 2: Northern Territory government to make sure that projects such as 93 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:14,840 Speaker 2: the Marine Loop Road and the Atsiaga that work needs 94 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 2: to be pursued to get those to shovel ready. So 95 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 2: you know, those big projects provide a huge amount of 96 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 2: hope and opportunity for our industry, and the quicker we 97 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 2: can get them to shovel ready status, the more optimism 98 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 2: that will come start flowing back. 99 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, in terms of you know, we know earlier in 100 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 1: the week that Virgin announced sale fares to Ularu, how 101 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: have they been received. I mean, I know that there's 102 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: plenty of things sort of going on to try to 103 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: get things moving. 104 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, and look in a competitive market that we face 105 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 2: ourselves in, you know, with competition against if you just 106 00:05:56,360 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: forget about Australia for instance, you know the competition short 107 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 2: haul international and you know the cheaper affairs going over 108 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 2: to places like Europe and Asia. It is a very 109 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 2: competitive landscape. So we have to do everything that we 110 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 2: possibly can to ruck them all for every better business 111 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 2: that we can get our hands on. So you know, 112 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 2: it is back to you know, back to probably where 113 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 2: I first started in tourism, where you know, we have 114 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 2: to be as proactive as we possibly can. It's more 115 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: than just doing social media and just putting it out there. 116 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 2: We actually have to really work hard to try and 117 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 2: gain as much business as we possibly can. And part 118 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 2: of that's putting incentives in place, but some of it's 119 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: but brand awareness. But you know, at the end of 120 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 2: the day, we have to really roll up the sleeves 121 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 2: collectively but with the Northern Territory Government through Tourism NTE 122 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 2: Tourism Australia to try and get as much business as 123 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 2: we possibly can. 124 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, and I would imagine that that event tourism 125 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 1: as well has a huge impact in a positive way. Oh. 126 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And look, Michael, obviously to the Northern Territory government 127 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 2: is that we need to be putting more more support 128 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 2: towards events, We need to be putting more support towards 129 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 2: marketing efforts because our competitors right across Australia are doing 130 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 2: more and so for instance, you know, the Tasanian government 131 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 2: just this work released ten million dollars of incentive support 132 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 2: to encourage people to travel to Tasmania. So this is 133 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 2: the competitive landscape that we work in. So if we're 134 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 2: not ahead of the curve there, we're going to get 135 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 2: left behind. 136 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: So Daniel, do you think that that comes down to, like, 137 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: is that something that we need to see from the 138 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,239 Speaker 1: Northern Territory government. Is it something that we need to see, 139 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: you know, on a larger scale federally. Where do you 140 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: think we need to be driving that from? I know, 141 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: as you said, you know you're having a crack at 142 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: everything at this point in time. Oh. 143 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 2: Look, and that's not a criticism of the Northern Territory government. 144 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 2: I think they're doing everything that they can to try 145 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 2: and do what they do. But at the end of 146 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,080 Speaker 2: the day, we just can't rest on our laurels and 147 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: the reason and it's important for the listeners to understand 148 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 2: the reason why we do this. Tourism is one of 149 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 2: the major industries of the Northern Territory. It's a jobs 150 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: factory for our economy and if we aren't proactive, we're 151 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 2: going to see the industry roll back, and we're going 152 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 2: to see less jobs and we're going to see less 153 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 2: tax income coming into the Northern Territory government coffers. So 154 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 2: that's one of the reasons why we bang on about 155 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: the importance of the tourism industry. And it is an 156 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: existing industry. It's been a legacy sector for this economy 157 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 2: for decades and you know, at the moment, you know 158 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 2: it is important that we put up the spinnaker and 159 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: not roll back the spinnaker. 160 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: Well, Daniel Rochford, the CEO of Tourism in Central Australia, 161 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: always appreciate your time. I hope it's a cracking weekend 162 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: for think and hope that it's absolutely busy. 163 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 2: As well as I love to say it all happens 164 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: in Central Australia and it's going to go off like 165 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 2: a frog in a stock I'm sure, So bring it 166 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 2: on and hopefully some of your listeners jump hook up 167 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 2: the trailer and they head on down. 168 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 1: Well, I know a few people that are, Daniel, so 169 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: there is no doubt you'll get quite a few people 170 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: I'm sure camped along there for the Fink Desert Race, 171 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 1: and hopefully coming into town as well and spending a 172 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: bit of money in those local businesses. 173 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: Indeed, good stuff. Let's bring it on. 174 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 1: Absolutely good on you, Daniel. Thank you so much for 175 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 1: your time this morning. 176 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thank you.