1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,280 Speaker 1: Well, and joining us on the line right now is 2 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:06,279 Speaker 1: Tourism Top Ends General Manager Glenn Hingley. Good morning to you, Glenn. 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 2: Patty, good morning, Good morning listeners. 4 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: Now, Glenn, obviously you and I speak fairly often and 5 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: we know that it's around the territory. There has been 6 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,759 Speaker 1: a real impact in recent weeks when it comes to 7 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: our tourism sector, following on from those lockdowns in other states. 8 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: How are we going at this point in time. 9 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 2: Well, we recently, just in fact, in the last week 10 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,840 Speaker 2: post the lockdown, did the sentiment survey out with our 11 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 2: industry and we had an enormous response back from our 12 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 2: hospitality and tourism industry and eighty percent of businesses are 13 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 2: experiencing a significant downtown to the lockdown and the follow 14 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: on from that, ninety five percent of business has said 15 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:48,599 Speaker 2: their interstate travel restrictions and water closures were significantly impacting 16 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,880 Speaker 2: their business. Eighty percent to the impact of the lockdowns 17 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 2: had resulted in cancelations, so enormous cancelations going forward. And 18 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 2: the total tullied up just through the survey alone was 19 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 2: fifty five million dollars. Now we don't have the abs figures, 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 2: and the other survey figures which government works on. That's 21 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 2: normally got a three to six month delay. But to 22 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 2: know that that lockdown and the cancelations at followed on 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 2: cost our territory economy a minimum fifty five million dollars 24 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 2: just through that's in that act alone, is worrying. Now, 25 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 2: that's the help. The health of the health of territories 26 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:25,560 Speaker 2: comes first, and we know that the cost of extended 27 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 2: lockdowns will be far greater. So but at the moment 28 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 2: we've got it wasn't truly over half were tourism and 29 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,759 Speaker 2: businesses that rely upon the success of tourism extremely worried 30 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: about their business prospects over the next six to twelve months. 31 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 2: And part of that is little to no cash flow. 32 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 2: July and August represent thirty five percent of our annual 33 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: visitor economies in income for our visitor economy, that's and 34 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: then for the month of during for example, that's seven 35 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: point six million dollars a day, and that coach sorry 36 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 2: for July, I should say, and that carries through into 37 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 2: August to be about eight million dollars a day. Now, 38 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: that was the amount that it was in twenty nineteen, 39 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 2: and it's not even a third of that now. 40 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: Glenn. They are phenomenal figures for all the wrong reasons. 41 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 1: I mean, we're talking about significant amounts of money here 42 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: that our tourism sector is losing. You mentioned that survey, 43 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: the sentiment survey. How many businesses took part in that with. 44 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 2: One hundred and fifty businesses take partner across the territory 45 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 2: and those businesses at the moment are in amongst all 46 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 2: the others. So that's a sample and in a sentiment survey, 47 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,519 Speaker 2: in terms of the numbers, that's a pretty good response. Yeah, 48 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 2: I think there's a good cross section too. We're able 49 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 2: to get a good cross section not just accommodation, but touring, cruising, attractions, retail, hospitality, 50 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,959 Speaker 2: and they're the numbers that added up into that. And 51 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 2: the thing that hides behind that is the jobs the 52 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: territorians who don't have work, those people who are either 53 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: serving customers or serving the businesses that serve customers. They're 54 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,959 Speaker 2: the ones who, specially our casual workforce, they're the ones 55 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: that we're so worried about at the moment, and we 56 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 2: know that they're the ones that could be looked after. Katie. 57 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 2: Before the lockdown, we were talking about labor shortages, and 58 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 2: now we've got businesses under tremendous pressure that with little 59 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 2: to no cash flow to retain those staffs. So certainly 60 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 2: we're working on programs to put together in a collaborative 61 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 2: sense with government that can identify businesses that are in 62 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: severe distress because we are a multi year economy. Now. 63 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 2: Some businesses are still doing crackingly well and God look 64 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 2: good on them. And others are doing pretty well keeping 65 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 2: their head above water. But what about those businesses that 66 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 2: employed territory that we need for when the ship writes itself, 67 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 2: when we're through this the other side. We need businesses 68 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 2: like that in play. So we need some way to 69 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 2: keep them from becoming insolvent. We need to keep them alive. 70 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: And that's the key part of what trying to work 71 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: on at the moment. 72 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: Glenn, that's fifty five million dollars over what period of 73 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: time is that loss that was? 74 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 2: That was the loss of the week and the forward bookings. 75 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 1: Oh wow, so. 76 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: That was the lockdown of that week because no travel. Yes, 77 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 2: people were still paying their roommates, but they weren't able 78 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 2: to go out and spend on attractions tours. Do some 79 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,280 Speaker 2: retail go to some arts and crafts go to an 80 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 2: Aboriginal gallery. They weren't able to do any of that, 81 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 2: and then the forward bookings that canceled over that, so 82 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 2: it was literally a tsunami of forward bookings and some 83 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 2: were replenished a little bit around Dawn Shop, which we 84 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,919 Speaker 2: saw on the weekend. One of the saving graces is 85 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 2: we've still got a lot of as they're fondly calling 86 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: themselves COVID refugees with their caravans and their RVs still 87 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,359 Speaker 2: spending time in the top end. What better place in 88 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 2: Australia to spend this time at the moment because they 89 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 2: can't return back to New South Wales. And for those 90 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: of you who were heading back to Brisbane, well they're 91 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: not now heading back to Southeast Queen Vane. Those who 92 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 2: can go back to Victoria are. But so we still 93 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 2: we're busy on the roads with a lot of caravan 94 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 2: and camping. Myself was down in Daily waters Im weekend, Yeah, 95 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 2: and it was it was doing. It was incredibly good. 96 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 2: And then at Matta Raanker on Sunday night again fantastic, 97 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 2: great show. But as we get closer around a lot 98 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 2: of our other really important parts of our sector, like 99 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 2: our touring operators. It's our touring operators is a really 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 2: good example here, those people who have for decades run 101 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 2: some of Australia's leading tour operations with guides, with partnership 102 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 2: with traditional owners, taking people into really amazing places across 103 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 2: the top end. They haven't seen a real pain customer 104 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 2: since September twenty nineteen. Yes, they didn't get picked up 105 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,479 Speaker 2: in job Keeper. They got some small support on the 106 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: way through and in May they were starting to see 107 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 2: some pretty good bookings. In June that was starting so 108 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 2: in May that was starting to pick up pretty well. 109 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 2: But once the lockdown came, everything was canceled moving forward 110 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,479 Speaker 2: and so many of those businesses are struggling. And when 111 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 2: I say they didn't get any help, that's the one 112 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 2: sector of our industry in particular that didn't get picked 113 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 2: up in last year's tourism vouchers. 114 00:05:56,200 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 1: Glenn, can I ask now about those tourism vouchers. There 115 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: is a ministry yesterday was on the show and flagged 116 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: that they are going to be relaunched around October. What 117 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 1: are you being told at this point and is it 118 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: going to make the difference that we made? 119 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: Well, it's going to go to some way to plugging 120 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: the whole in keeping Territorians in jobs and keeping a 121 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 2: lot of business solvent, which we need to be doing. 122 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 2: So yes, Round four that was announced in the budget 123 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 2: back in May, we're waiting for proper, genuine confirmation. So 124 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 2: we've heard that of October through. We've also had the 125 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 2: Chief Minister say that it would be out of Christmas. 126 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 2: The industry are eager and I think Territorians are also 127 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 2: eager to get their vouchers. And I think the key 128 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 2: part of this was that five million dollars last year 129 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 2: in each of those three rounds at fifteen was matched 130 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 2: dollar for dollar for territoriums as they traveled anywhere they 131 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 2: chose in the Northern Territory. And that's the key here 132 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 2: with these vouchers, that this is government money, but it's 133 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 2: been matched by Territorians and then they have their choice 134 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 2: to travel where they want throughout the territory to help 135 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 2: keep Territorians in jobs, territory and businesses alive. And we're 136 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 2: so grateful and it was a cracking initiative and I'm 137 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: privileged to represent the territory on the Australian Tourism Industry 138 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 2: Council and I can tell you that every other state 139 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 2: looked with great envy towards the way the vouchers worked 140 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: in the territory, how quick they were, and how sective 141 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: they were, supporting a broad range of tourism and hospitality businesses. 142 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: Well, it looks like it's going to need to be key. Yeah, 143 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: it looks like it's going to need to be something 144 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: that's rolled out again. So Glenn, are you hearing this? 145 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: Not only will there be around it in October, but 146 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: also at Christmas. 147 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 2: I'm hearing that the round, if it's related to what 148 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: happened previously, it will go for a three or four 149 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 2: month time. So that was round one, Round two, Round three. 150 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 2: So certainly, from from our industry's perspective, we want to 151 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 2: keep people on the books, keep them employed now as 152 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: we move and extend the shoulder season into the Christmas period. 153 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 2: No one wants to be laying off staff prior to Christmas. 154 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 2: And for territories they can't travel anywhere prior to Christmas. 155 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 2: What at what a great opportunity to get out saw 156 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 2: so many territorians explore their backyard for the very first time, 157 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 2: so many new territorians getting around and had that initiative 158 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 2: and as a result have continued traveling so and to 159 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: be able to travel anywhere in the territory is really 160 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 2: important and keep people employed. And the other thing is 161 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 2: to the sooner that we could launch it, we would 162 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 2: encourage government and October sounds like a pretty good time 163 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 2: to me that it keeps our workforce in place, people 164 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 2: in jobs, and those who are fortunate enough to get 165 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 2: the vouchers. Encourage you to get your friends and go 166 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 2: out and travel and spend the time around the territory. 167 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: Absolutely get it happening. And let's hope that it really 168 00:08:56,640 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: helps those businesses, particularly when you talk about it, fifty 169 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:02,959 Speaker 1: five million dollar loss in one week. I mean, it's 170 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: phenomenal figures for unfortunately all the wrong reasons. Glenn, we 171 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: are going to have to leave it there. I really 172 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: appreciate your time as always. I understand you had the 173 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: COVID jab this morning as well. How'd you go shake them? One? 174 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: Done? Didn't hurt, It didn't feel a thing. 175 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 3: And that's one thing that we know is you know, 176 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 3: I know that everyone's not on board with it, but 177 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 3: our other solution is to continue living life and fear 178 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 3: of a lockdown and economically and people for jobs come 179 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 3: forward to do it. So yep, I'm proud to have 180 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 3: my second job. And I recommend anyone out there too 181 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:35,839 Speaker 3: who's on the fence. 182 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 2: Go and talk to your GP. Get the advice, get the. 183 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: Job, good advice. I reckon Glenn. Good to catch up 184 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: with you, mate, Thanks so much for your time this. 185 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 2: Morning, Katie, thank you so much. 186 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 1: Thank you. That is Glenn Hingley there, who is Tourism 187 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 1: top Ends General Manager. I tell you what that sentiment 188 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,439 Speaker 1: survey one hundred and fifty businesses, around one hundred and 189 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: fifty businesses taking part in that, and the impact that 190 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: these lockdowns around the nation are having just phenomenal. Like 191 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: I said, for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, we're going 192 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: to take a very short break. When we come back, 193 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: we're going to be catching up with the Darwin Airport, 194 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: the Airport Development Groups General Manager of Operations and finding 195 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: out a bit more about the changes for the international arrivals.