1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Now we know that it was announced yesterday that the 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: Northern Territory Government is going to be merging Tourism in 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: Tea and nt major events company. It's going to see 4 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:14,079 Speaker 1: them become one entity called Tourism and Events n T. 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: It's in a bit to streamline operations and enhance the 6 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: territory's ability to market tourism and events. Now joining us 7 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: in the studio is the Department of Tourism CEO Susanna Bishop. 8 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Susannah. 9 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 2: Good morning, thanks for having me. 10 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: Great to have you in the studio. Now, why is 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: this merger needed? 12 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 2: While we do have two excellent organizations that play a 13 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,959 Speaker 2: really critical role in a visiting economy, and it's not 14 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 2: just about delivering excellent events, it is about attracting new 15 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 2: money to the territory through visitation that then can power 16 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 2: all the things that we love and you know, businesses thriving, 17 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 2: new investment coming, more people wanting to come to the 18 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 2: NTE as well. So we feel that that integreet and 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 2: we'll just power both operations to new levels. And you know, 20 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 2: we know people save is not broken? Why fix it? 21 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 2: But I think also why not innovating more when we 22 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: have the ability to do so. 23 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: I suppose from an outsider looking in, and I know 24 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,119 Speaker 1: you've been the head of NT Major Events as well, 25 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: so so you understand how they both work quite intimately, 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: I would imagine, But from an outsider looking in, I've 27 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: always looked at NT Major Events and thought they're so nimble, 28 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: and they're able to do things really quickly. 29 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 3: They're able to get. 30 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: Things moving, you know, even throughout COVID and post COVID, 31 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: the ability to do that was a really great thing 32 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 1: that we saw. I suppose the worry that I have 33 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 1: is that NT Major Events now may get caught up 34 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: in the bureaucracy of being part of a government department. 35 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 3: I mean, are you worried that that's going to happen. 36 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 2: Yes, We've been working really hard since smart to make 37 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: sure that doesn't happen. So what we're moving is major 38 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 2: Events into the statutory body of tourism that sits within 39 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 2: the department. But it is a statutory body in its 40 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 2: own right, and there is legislative work being done by 41 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 2: government now to protect some of those nimbleness, their ability 42 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: to do certain things which will actually benefit tourism. At 43 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: the same time, has retained those abilities for major events. 44 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 2: So we're hope in that this becomes an improvement all around. 45 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: What do you reckon some of those key benefits might be, 46 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: you know, in terms of the merger obviously, you know, 47 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: I'm assuming there may be some cost saving measures, maybe not, 48 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: But what do you think those benefits will be. 49 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's certainly an exercise of strategic alignment and efficiency. 50 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 2: So you have two organizations, two boards, two distinct strategies. 51 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 2: Major events have evolved a lot over the years to 52 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: not just deliver events, but to start moving into a 53 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 2: visitation attraction. So suddenly you have potentially a lack of 54 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 2: cohesion into one bigger body trying to achieve that greater good. 55 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 2: So bringing both together, it's one board, one strategy, one focus, 56 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 2: and it really is about getting the dollar to go further, 57 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 2: but also that strategic alignment to deliver more for the territory. 58 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I guess, you know, not to be critical 59 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: of tourism and tea in any way, but you know, 60 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 1: for myself, I suppose just coming back from New Zealand, 61 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: you see the ways in which different locations are so 62 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: innovative and so sort of forward thinking in some of 63 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: the different things that they do. I mean, you've got 64 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: people bungee jumping off cliff faces, You've got loose at 65 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: the top of mountains. You know, you've got all sorts 66 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: of things going on, and we're a very different location. 67 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: But I just wonder whether we need to get a 68 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: little bit more innovative in the way that we're doing 69 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: things tourism wise. You know, I'm thinking outside the box 70 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: a little. 71 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, I think it's a journey of continuous improvement. 72 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 2: We need the product, we need the visitation, and we 73 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 2: need investment. So the more we have visitation growth, or 74 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 2: the more we have awareness for the destination, the more 75 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 2: we attract the people than is business confidence, then you're 76 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 2: staying attracting investments. So we need to get the ecosystem 77 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 2: right and we need to get confidence right, and with 78 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: that certainty as well. It's really important because businesses will 79 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 2: invest if we know that there's good root access, that 80 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: there's good visitation for cast year round, and that's when 81 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 2: everything starts moving. We are releasing shortly some really good 82 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 2: steady numbers of growth for visitation, especially international as well 83 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: as domestic. So there's been a lot of growth over 84 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 2: the past year. We want to keep that momentum. We 85 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 2: want to keep that visitation move in the right direction. 86 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 3: Now, what about with some of those smaller events. 87 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: So I know that inta major events have helped some 88 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: of those smaller events, maybe not sort of you know, 89 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 1: been right in there helping, but certainly providing some funding 90 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: and some assistance to some of those smaller events. Is 91 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 1: that going to be able to continue to happen with 92 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: this merger. 93 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 2: Absolutely. I'm a big believer that the place you like 94 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: to visit is the place you like to visit to live, 95 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 2: and I think that that that is part of the 96 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 2: fabric of the destination is those leader events is going 97 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:08,040 Speaker 2: to Alice Springs and being part of something that's very 98 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 2: community like the Benny Festival. Well, there's so much richness 99 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 2: on that that budget allocation won't change. It's the same 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: as it's now, will be wherever the integration lends. 101 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:21,719 Speaker 3: And will there be any job cuts? 102 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: Well, so the details are still being worked out as 103 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 2: we do a lot of consultation, but what we're doing 104 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 2: is making sure that every permanent to staff will get 105 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 2: either retention within the new organization or across vacancies in 106 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory Government. 107 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 3: Now, how is it all sort of going to work. 108 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 1: I guess, you know, what are the next steps to 109 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: sort of formally establish this new entity. 110 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. The next step is so we've been in consultation 111 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 2: and we have an expression open for people to provide 112 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 2: ideas for a new visit economy and it's a visitor 113 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: community that moves out of just a tourism strategy. It's 114 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 2: visit economy for a reason because we do want the 115 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 2: voice of events, parks and you know, we're doing a 116 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 2: lot with screen and tea. We want it to be 117 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:16,039 Speaker 2: about visitation overall. So that will culminate doing Destination Anti week. 118 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 2: We're doing a series of events, including our conference, we'll 119 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,720 Speaker 2: launch some of the findings of that consultation, the direction 120 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 2: of the strategy, and that will power this new entity 121 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 2: to go to new heights. 122 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 1: And in terms of this advance, there's going to be 123 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 1: an advisory board as I understand it, that's going to 124 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,159 Speaker 1: be set up as well with the expressions of interest 125 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 1: opening today. 126 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 3: What kind of people are you wanting to have on 127 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 3: that board? 128 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, so working really closely with the government and the 129 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 2: minister and I think it's you know, we want a 130 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:48,919 Speaker 2: lot of expertise, a lot of enthusiasm and passion to 131 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 2: really get the NTY to the next level. So there'll 132 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 2: be a wide search and it will be a mix. 133 00:06:54,600 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 2: So understanding of visitors' economy, marketing and destination, Aboriginal culture 134 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: and tourism is really important. Infrastructure and investment, attraction in 135 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 2: the tourism or all elements that we really want to 136 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 2: power into as part of this new advisory. 137 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: Well, Sinzanna, before I let you go, I know that 138 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,239 Speaker 1: on the weekend of course, we saw the Motocross World Championships. 139 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 3: How did it all go? 140 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: Like there's been I've had friends just giving it raving 141 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: review saying it was amazing. 142 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 2: Oh listen, it was a really exciting event to see 143 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: come together. And I've been there from the very beginning 144 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 2: of that first set of thought, and the teams did 145 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 2: an amazing job. And to you know, we got fifty 146 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: eight percent interstate and international. That's new money to the territory. 147 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 2: That is not a figure that we've seen for a while. 148 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 2: So we know it works and know it powered the 149 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 2: shoulder period. We've seen a really busy September and I 150 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 2: think that's the power of events, you know, in the 151 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: midst of a well thought out visit economy strategy. 152 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, it does seem as though that event tourism is 153 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: having a really that you've impact for the Northern territory 154 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 1: and that is a wonderful thing. 155 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 3: Do we know how many people attended? And what I know? 156 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: You just said fifty eight percent were from overseas need 157 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: to stay? 158 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 3: But how many people did we get there? 159 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 2: On there? We had close to thirty seven thousand, and 160 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 2: I think that surpassed any initial modeling and business case 161 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: that we've done that was more in the close to 162 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: thirty thousand. So we're still working through the Economic king Pact, 163 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 2: but again it would have surpassed the twenty one million 164 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 2: that was originally thought. And that's great result for the territory. 165 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 1: What was it like having to manage as well? That 166 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: set up of the track, like having to get that 167 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: all sorted? 168 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 2: It looked incredible a lot of experts and from the 169 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 2: beginning we were always told if the track isn't right, 170 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: the writers won't want to come, and if the writers 171 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 2: don't want to come, the fans don't want to follow. 172 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 2: So a lot of work was done into it and 173 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 2: the feedback from the organizers, the international organizers that we 174 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 2: now have one of the best tracks, and we've seen 175 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 2: some of the writers say as well in social media 176 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,880 Speaker 2: that we've got one of the best tracks. So that's 177 00:08:58,920 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 2: an incredible thing. 178 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 3: So it cashing again next year. 179 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: Absolutely, it's a five year contract, so there's four years 180 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: to come. In the first year, there was so much 181 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 2: effort and effort from Major Events and Tourism coming together 182 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 2: to promote this event and they were awarded. Major Events 183 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 2: was awarded the best promotion of an EMXGPI from all 184 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 2: the twenty countries that do this exercise. So a lot 185 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 2: of kudos to the team that worked really hard. 186 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 3: Oh good stuff. 187 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 1: Well, ANTI Department of Tourism and Hospitality CEO Susanna Bishop, 188 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 1: really appreciate your time this morning. 189 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for joining us, Thanks for having me. 190 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: Thank you