1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: We know that Alice Springs has received what's been described 2 00:00:03,360 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: a much needed boost with Air and All to start 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:10,040 Speaker 1: direct flights from cans to Alice Springs. Flights are now 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: on sale, with the first on April fourteen. That service 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: is going to be operating three times a week using 6 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:20,440 Speaker 1: air or its modern Embraer jet fleet, which carries one 7 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: hundred passengers. There's promotional one way sales fares starting from 8 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: two hundred and ninety nine dollars. It is no doubt 9 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: that it is some good news for the people of 10 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: Alice and also for tourism in the Red Center. And 11 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: joining us in the studio this morning, he's here from 12 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 1: Alice Springs. Daniel Rochford, the CEO of Tourism Central Australia. 13 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: Good morning to you. 14 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners. 15 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: Lovely to see you mate. Did you bring the rain with. 16 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,480 Speaker 2: You, Well, it's taken an Alice Springs person to bring 17 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 2: your rain. But it's great to be here. And yeah, 18 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: up here for a few days trend the boards, but 19 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: great to catch up. 20 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: Well. We appreciate you bringing the weather. If you are 21 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: indeed responsible, I reckon there'd be some pollis sorts of 22 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: people trying to take responsibility because we've all been waiting 23 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: for them. 24 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 2: Ather thing to wake up to this morning, I'd have 25 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 2: to say it. 26 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: Sure was now mate. Tell me what has been the 27 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 1: reaction from locals and people in the tourism sector in 28 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: relation to this announcement by in North yesterday. 29 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, this is a great announcement. As I spoke yesterday, 30 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 2: this is a perfect example of what should happen team Territory. 31 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 2: We've got the airline, the airport, the government, industry all 32 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 2: aligne to bring this service in and that's going to 33 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: connect Alice to the Great Barrier Reef, the Reef and 34 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 2: the heart of Australia. You know, that's such a critical 35 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 2: piece of our tourism linkage, connecting internationals from Cannes to 36 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 2: Central Australia. You know, we talk about the Golden Triangle, 37 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 2: the Reef, the Rock and Sydney. That's where most of 38 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 2: our internationals travel. And the way we can make that easier, 39 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: the better we'll see more travelers. And this is a 40 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 2: huge news. And I tell you what, Katie twenty twenty five, 41 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 2: I'd say it it's going to be our year and 42 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 2: it's going to be a good way to kick it 43 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:03,279 Speaker 2: off when those flights launch in April. 44 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: Well, it really has to be your year as well, 45 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: doesn't it. I mean, to be really frank about it, 46 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: what we've seen over the last couple of years has 47 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 1: been so tough for locals but also for tourism operators, 48 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: some of whom who've been operating in Central Australia for decades. 49 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and there's no doubt in you and I've spoken 50 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 2: for many years about the challenges but our backs against 51 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 2: the wall and you know, we have no alternative but 52 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 2: to come out really strong this year and we need 53 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 2: and thankfully our government is helping us with that process, 54 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 2: you know, And no doubt you know, from a local 55 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: perspective in Al Springs, things have come down from a 56 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 2: crime and antisocial behavior issue, and you know, it's been 57 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 2: the first time in a number of years where we've 58 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 2: been able to get some clear air to go on 59 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 2: the offensive and we're rolling the sleeves up and we're 60 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: just about to do that. 61 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: Well it's good to hear because as I say, it's 62 00:02:57,919 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: been it has been tough going and I know that 63 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of work underway to try to 64 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: get things under control, and so our locals starting to 65 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: sort of fegel a little bit of confidence again that 66 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 1: you know that they can get to respect, that they 67 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,399 Speaker 1: can really say to their family and friends again, hey 68 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: this is a wonderful place, come and visit us. Yeah. 69 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 2: Look, we've been mind in negativity and being splashed across 70 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 2: the nation's media for all the wrong reasons. And now 71 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 2: the government has throw in the kitchen sink at our 72 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 2: crime and anti social issues. Things have calmed down and 73 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 2: we now can get on the offensive. And my message 74 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 2: to all Australians is twenty twenty five, this is the 75 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 2: year to come and visit the heart of Australia, the 76 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 2: sotyl of Australia, Alice Springs. And you know, we've got 77 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 2: so many exciting things happening this year and I'm really excited. 78 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 2: Our numbers are already looking really promising. 79 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: Right. 80 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 2: You know, we've almost quadrupled the amount of bookings that 81 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 2: we would have normally at this time of year compared 82 00:03:58,680 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 2: to previous years. 83 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: Give us can you quantify that, look. 84 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 2: We would you know, just pure higher car bookings. We've 85 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 2: gone from about one hundred and fifty thousand last year 86 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 2: to over four hundred and fifty thousand this year forward bookings, 87 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 2: forward bookings. So that just says, you know, there's strong 88 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 2: interest in coming back to Central Australia, and you know, 89 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 2: I guess we need to make sure that we're really 90 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 2: keen to just change that narrative. You know, when things 91 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 2: have settled down and that they have, now, is that 92 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 2: time to really go on the offensive our industry. Our 93 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 2: backs are against the wall. You know, we've got big 94 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 2: operators down there who are really fragile and if we 95 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 2: don't have a great season this year, I fear for 96 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: their future existence. So it is I don't want to 97 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:51,479 Speaker 2: over sensationalists, but it is do or die for many 98 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 2: of our small businesses. 99 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: And so by the sounds of it, the government do 100 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 1: sound like they're prepared to support tourism operators in terms 101 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: of really trying to promote the place again. I mean, 102 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 1: is it time for us to get a little bit 103 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: territory proud once more and sort of you know, hey, 104 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: look come back, come back to the Northern Territory. We 105 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 1: want to see you here. 106 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 2: Oh look, I think everyone's had to you know, we've 107 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 2: had to deal with the issues that we're dealing with, 108 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 2: and yeah, we can't go back in history. You know, 109 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 2: the government is certainly changing what they're doing and that 110 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 2: seems to be gaining some traction in terms of results. 111 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 2: So yeah, I do agree. I think we do need 112 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 2: to get territory proud. I think we've got an amazing 113 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 2: place in Central Australia and likewise here in the top end. 114 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 2: You know, we should be absolutely proud of it and 115 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 2: should we should be proud of seeing that from the rooftops. 116 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 2: And that's what I say to all Australians now is 117 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,920 Speaker 2: let's reconnect back to Central Australia. Let's come and see 118 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 2: it for yourself and experience and get out there and 119 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 2: get amongst it and you'll have an amazing time. 120 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: Daniel, I do want to ask because we just caught 121 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: up with the Opposition leader Selena Ruba and we were 122 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: talking about the art gallery for Alice Springs. She said 123 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: that there has been quite a bit of feedback that 124 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: the downsizing or the plans to downsize what is going 125 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: to be built is going to have a negative impact. 126 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: How like, how are you feeling, how's the tourism sector 127 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: feeling about the changes to plans when it comes to 128 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 1: the Art Gallery for Alice. 129 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 2: I think the tourism sector is really keen to see 130 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 2: the plans and to see what the actual details are, 131 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: because the devil will be in the detail. 132 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 1: Look. 133 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: I had a long conversation with the treasure and the 134 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 2: Minister responsible for infrastructure last week, and you know, he 135 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 2: was giving me some assurances that you know, wasn't too 136 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 2: much of a downsize in gallery space. You know, there 137 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 2: might be some things lost like cafes and conference rooms, 138 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 2: but you know, the devil will be in the detail. 139 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: You know. 140 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 2: I encourage the Minister to be really proactive with our 141 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 2: industry to share that information and hopefully that was listening. 142 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: I understand they're at around about thirty percent architectural, so 143 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 2: I'm sure it's not too far away to always see 144 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:02,479 Speaker 2: the designs. So I'll reserve my judgment until then. But 145 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 2: you know, we it's I guess when it comes to 146 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: gallery size matters, and you know, our hopes and dreams 147 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 2: with this is that it becomes a national institution. And 148 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 2: my comment to everyone is why can't we have a 149 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 2: national institution in Alice Springs like the ones that are 150 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: in Canberra. You know, we are the spiritual home of 151 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 2: the Indigenous art movement, the home of Albert Namajeira. You know, 152 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 2: this center should be world class. You know, I'm being 153 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: told by the government that's their intent, So yeah, I'm 154 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: very keen. I'm also mindful that, you know, there's a 155 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: federal election coming and you know there's obviously politics around, 156 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 2: so you know, I note Marian Scrimdaw's recent comments about, 157 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 2: you know, the potential of federal greater investment, and you know, 158 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 2: if there is federal greater investment in this project, you 159 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: know we would all welcome that. 160 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: I absolutely agree. Hey, let's as I understand that the 161 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: entries are opening today for the think but there's also 162 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 1: a big cycling event that's going to be happening in 163 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: terms of well the different kind mountain biking. Two wonderful 164 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: things to get. 165 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 2: Underway completely, and I'll throw a third one in there 166 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: that you know, very exciting. We've got the Black and Festival, 167 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: which is one of Australia's biggest heavy metal festivals, for 168 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 2: later in the year for all new headbangers out there. 169 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 2: So yeah. The Shimano Gravel Muster was a new event 170 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 2: last year. It was so well received that the organizers 171 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 2: have definitely doubled down this year and of course Fink 172 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 2: Red Center, NATS and of course Pardus kicking off in 173 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 2: just a few weeks time. So yeah, it's going to 174 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 2: be a big year for events in Central Australia. You know, 175 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 2: we're just so excited. You know, I think we've had 176 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 2: our difficult days, but you know, there's a real sense 177 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 2: of turning of the page. And I'm not there yet. 178 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,719 Speaker 2: I did. I think about doing some cartwheels down you're 179 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 2: mall here, but I'll wait till. 180 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:00,959 Speaker 1: Get Kay, not yet, all wait, We'll give it a 181 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: few more weeks and we'll see how things are tracking. 182 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 2: Indeed, No, I think my message to everyone is, look, 183 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 2: even if it's just over the school holidays, come down, 184 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 2: come down camping, come down, be under those Red centers 185 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: night skies. It is an amazing experience that everyone should do. 186 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 1: Daniel Rochford, lovely to speak with you this morning, mate, 187 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for joining us in the studio. 188 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: Cheers, Gattie, Thank you.