1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: The government has signed off on these park fee increases. 2 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,600 Speaker 1: Exactly what they're going to look like remains to be seen. 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 1: We're waiting to hear from the Minister's office and when 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: we do, we'll certainly get that detail through to you. 5 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: But joining us on the line right now to talk 6 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: further about this situation is Daniel Rochford, who is of 7 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: course Tourism Central Australia's CEO. Good morning to you, Daniel, Good. 8 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 2: Morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners and happy 9 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: year you too. 10 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: Great to have you on the show for the first 11 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: time this year. Daniel. We're hearing that these park fees 12 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 1: are going to change walking tracks impacted. My understanding is 13 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 1: that our overseas and interstate visitors won't have to face 14 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 1: those hike fee increases until next year. But what are 15 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: you being told. 16 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 2: Well, to be honest, Katie, what we're being told is 17 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 2: what we've read in the NT News, which I guess 18 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: one of the challenges that we're facing on this issue 19 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 2: is we seem to be finding all the information through media. Look, 20 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 2: when this broke last week, you know, we certainly called 21 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:10,479 Speaker 2: for a very robust consultation with the tourism industry, and look, 22 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 2: you know again we've read something in Hinting News this 23 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 2: morning that there's been decisions made overnight. So look, you 24 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 2: know this is while I don't disagree with the concepts, 25 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 2: you know, most jurisdictions do charge some form of free 26 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: and let's face it, if these moneys go into and 27 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,680 Speaker 2: invested in our national park, that's a good thing for tourism. 28 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: But the reality for our industry, as you know, we're 29 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 2: on our knees here in Central Australia and things like 30 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 2: this at the moment is just not the right time, Daniel. 31 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: I mean, that's pretty disappointing to hear that you guys 32 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: haven't been consulted with our tourism operators are not being 33 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,559 Speaker 1: consulted with when this is something that's going to really 34 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: impact them. Are you telling me that they've really not 35 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: been in contact with you guys at all. 36 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 2: No, As I said, we're reading this stuff in the 37 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:10,519 Speaker 2: territory media, So look, it is slightly disappointing on that front. 38 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 2: And look, I don't know obviously there's how this story 39 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: broke and the way it broke last week, but we're 40 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 2: certainly seeing a decision on the run here. But look, 41 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 2: you know, we need to have that robust consultation. There 42 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 2: are some specific issues with the tourism industry as this relates. 43 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 2: For instance, Katie, most of our industry have locked in 44 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 2: contracts with domestic trade and international trade partners, so they 45 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 2: lock in their prices almost eighteen months in advance. So 46 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 2: when fees and chargers get levied in whatever shape or 47 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: format looks like, if that's not given a significant lead time, 48 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 2: then we get into a situation where our operators have 49 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 2: to incur that cost. Now, you know, we don't really 50 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: have the detail here to be able to a clear 51 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 2: understanding of what that impact will be. 52 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: Well, look, that makes two of us. But I have 53 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: just been sent a little bit of information as we're 54 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: talking by the Minister's office and what they've said is 55 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Government is improving visitor experiences in our 56 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 1: parks and reserves and to ensure appropriate protection and conservation 57 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: for future generations. They reckon that these changes are going 58 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: to modernize our parks and it means that our parks 59 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: and trails will be safer. Now, the introduction of a 60 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: new online booking system is what they say is going 61 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: to be implemented. A review of camping fees, introduction of 62 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: fees for multi day walking trails that well a few 63 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 1: of those different different tracks, including the Larapinta Trail, and 64 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: the introduction of park passes for interstate and international visitors. 65 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: Territories will not be charged these fees apparently, and any 66 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: changes to fees will not occur until July twenty twenty 67 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: one and will be reflected in the budget. It in 68 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty one budget. But look, this is where 69 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: I think the real confusion is, Daniel, for you and I, 70 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: is that it's been reported in the media. Are there 71 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: those those multi day walking trail fees are going to 72 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: go into play straight away or very soon, and that 73 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: we don't know what's you know, exactly how much they're 74 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: going to be. 75 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely, And look when I heard everything you just 76 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: read out there. But I don't disagree with anything that's 77 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 2: talked about there predominantly, Like I think we do need 78 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 2: to modernize the way we need to do bookings. You know, 79 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 2: for instance, an online booking platform is actually a really 80 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: good idea. And look, you know, camping fees haven't been 81 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 2: increased in such a long time, you know their scope there, 82 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 2: and you know, I don't disagree with that, but we've 83 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 2: got to do this one and do it right, Katie, 84 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: and that's the important thing. And look, when you know, 85 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:56,719 Speaker 2: I just feel that there's some sort of rush here 86 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,839 Speaker 2: for some reason. And you know, the end of the day, 87 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 2: our industry is very much and we're only just one stakeholder, 88 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 2: of course, but this is really poor timing when it 89 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 2: comes to our industry because now it's not a particularly 90 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 2: good time. 91 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,039 Speaker 1: No, And that's the thing. I think. You've just got 92 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: to consult with people. You've got to tell them exactly 93 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: what's going on. Daniel, give us a bit of an 94 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 1: update on the state of play with tourism at the 95 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: moment and what you're hearing from operators. 96 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, i'd like to say, and you know, I'm 97 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,039 Speaker 2: a bit of a glass cash. Yeah you are, o, Katie, 98 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: but I'm struggling at the moment. You know, I'm getting 99 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 2: phone call after phone call, day in, day out at 100 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 2: the moment, businesses saying that they're going to be closing down. Look, 101 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 2: you know we've seen in the media and I saw 102 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: this morning up in up in Cans the operators up 103 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 2: there saying it. But a great summer front page of 104 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: the NT Yews last week said it was a great, 105 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 2: great summer period for the Darwin operators, but that has 106 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 2: not been the case here in Central Australia. We have 107 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 2: had a very poor summer, which is traditionally the time 108 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 2: we get international visitors. They would of course not there 109 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 2: for our industry. And you know, we're only seeing roughly 110 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 2: about ten to fifteen percent of the territory vouchers coming 111 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 2: through to Central Australia. Our industry is on their knees. 112 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 2: And to add insult to injury, you know, I'm hearing 113 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 2: other issues now starting to come to play, things like 114 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 2: insurance hikes, the inability to get staff and labor into businesses. 115 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 2: All this is just turning that snowflake into a snowball. 116 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 2: And we're really at that time where Central Australia needs 117 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 2: some form of direct assistance. 118 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 1: Daniel, Is this because of COVID or is the crime 119 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: issue in Central Australia greatly impacting you? 120 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 2: Oh? Look, I was speaking to a politician yesterday about 121 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 2: this issue about our issues here, and you know I 122 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 2: was about ten minutes into the conversation about our concerns 123 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 2: here and the tourism industry before I even raised crime 124 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 2: and safety as a problem. And of course, you know, 125 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 2: there is no doubt the crime and safety issue is 126 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 2: one that is of enormous concern to the tourism industry. 127 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 2: You know, I'm hearing that even I was in Lara 128 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 2: just recently, so five hundred kilometers away from Alice Springs, 129 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 2: Lara tourism operators raising crime and safety in Alice Springs 130 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 2: as a concern for them. 131 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: Wow. 132 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 2: So yet there is no doubt crime and safety is 133 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 2: a huge issue. You know, there is a lot of 134 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: work that's being done by the police and the relevant agencies. 135 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 2: At the front of the Alice Springs Information Center now 136 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: as we as I sit here is a massive, big 137 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 2: mobile police station, so you know they're doing they're doing 138 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: a lot of work there, but that perception is difficult 139 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 2: to overcome, and you know where it is just turning 140 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: that snowflake into a much bigger snowball for us. And 141 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: you know, we're in a situation. We're in an absolute 142 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: die situation here we are. You know, some of I 143 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 2: had one operator which is one of our one of 144 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 2: one of our iconic operators, saying he doesn't think he's 145 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 2: going to last another two months. They just don't have 146 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 2: the cash. 147 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry to hear that, mate. I mean, it 148 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 1: sounds like it's a really bloody tough time and you know, 149 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: I know that I don't think that the government sort 150 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 1: of tries to kick people when they're down, but you know, 151 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:43,440 Speaker 1: then when you find out that there's going to be 152 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: an additional fee and things like that, it just doesn't 153 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: help the case. I really feel for you guys. 154 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I think you know, you know, in respect 155 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 2: to the government, I think there is a heartfelt desire 156 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 2: to support our industry and that had been very clear, 157 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 2: and whatever side of politics, whatever tier of politics, there 158 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 2: is an absolute intent to support. But I guess the 159 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 2: message that we've got to get out there at the 160 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 2: moment is, look, we're in a really difficult situation at 161 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 2: the moment, and we need some additional support here or 162 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 2: we're going to face our basically a lot of closures 163 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 2: and our industry almost crippled, which is not what we 164 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 2: would want when we're trying to go through and out 165 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 2: the other side of this pandemic. Yeah. 166 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: Absolutely, well, Daniel, I am going to have to leave 167 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: it there. I really appreciate you talking to us this morning, 168 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: and i'd tell you what to any of our listeners. 169 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 1: If you've got some spare cash, and if you're in 170 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: a situation where you can head to Central Australia for 171 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: a holiday, get out there and support our wonderful tourism operators. 172 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 2: Sounds like a grand flan. Thank you so much, Katie 173 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: Thanks Daniel, We appreciate your time.