Scott Lovett, deputy CEO of Tourism Northern Territory, caught up with Travel Bulletin during the boards recent sales mission in partnership with Visit Victoria.
Describing the destination's mission as "really important" in rekindling relationships with the UK trade, Scott explained that "the UK is one of our most valued and treasured markets," and the Territory's second largest.
The mission saw 170 agents meet with suppliers and representatives from the tourist board, and the response was a positive one, as Scott elaborated: "In both London and Manchester, we have had a really good response: that tells me that both the Northern Territory and Victoria have a proposition that agents want to hear about. They're sellable and desirable."
Acknowledging that agents' share of the tourism market is a "competitive" one, Scott explained that the percentage of guests booking through the trade in the UK represents a larger share than other source markets, and that "the support of the trade is really important and valued by the UK consumer [and so] it's really important that we look after the trade as much as we possibly can."
Product to bolster the NT proposition
While that trade support includes in-market training and virtual educational opportunities via the Aussie Specialist programme, there is no greater support than trade-friendly products and experiences. Scott spotlighted some of the new products coming online to enhance the NT proposition to the trade: "Uluru continues to go from strength to strength. Wintjiri Wiru launched last year, bringing Aboriginal culture to life through new technology in the most remarkable landscape, and that has been really well received.
"Bruce Monro's Field of Light continues to shine on if you'll pardon the pun, and that offers a new and unique way to experience the landscape.
"Across the Territory in general, we've seen product enhancements: we're set to see a new hotel emerge from the Darwin waterfront at some point this year, there is a new hotel development ongoing at Lasseters Hotel Casino in Alice Springs, potentially worth up to AUS$200 million in redevelopment.
"Qantas confirmed additional Singapore to Darwin services commencing in December, which will be a great win for us.
"What all that really means is we are going to be making it easier and easier for agents to work with our destinations, accommodations and experiences through bolstered connectivity and a growing roster of options for the UK traveller."
