Industry Update 13 March 2012

Get with the flow, Asia's the go

Two opportunities are on offer to tourism operators who want to raise their profile with travel agents in Asia.

Several promotional activities are being organised around Silk Air's inaugural flight from Singapore to Darwin on 26 March.

		Congratulations to our national tourism award winners Northern Territory tourism operators performed memorably at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Tourism pioneer Grant Hunt, former chair of Tourism NT Board, won the prestigious Gold Award for an Outstanding Contribution for an Individual. Nine other operators won silver and bronze awards in their categories. For over 25 years, Grant Hunt has demonstrated a solid understanding of the importance of, and relationship between, nature and culture and developed signature products and experiences that remain true to his values. Read more >

		Three strikes and you’re...still eligible Up until now, accredited tourism operators working actively in international markets could obtain financial assistance from the Trade Support Scheme (TSS) a maximum of three times. However, businesses can be considered again now if their proposed activity relates to growing eastern markets. Read more >

NT Muster hits town The NT Muster in Sydney and Melbourne will introduce 33 Northern Territory tourism operators promoting over 40 products and services. Each will be able to speak direct to the trade about their tourism product and the many natural and cultural experiences the Territory has to offer. Read more >		More opportunities to have your say Make sure you have your say on the future directions of tourism in the Territory. There's a public workshop coming up in Katherine, another in Darwin and a third for indigenous tourism operators before the end of the month. Read more >

Media on a Lonely Planet mission This week we are hosting some key media to help them find out why Lonely Planet named Darwin one of the world's top 10 cities to visit in 2012. Read more >		4,000 UK entries in five days A competition with a prize of a trip to Melbourne and the Northern Territory that appeared in a UK newspaper has received 4,000 entries in five days. Read more >

Singapore trade show Tourism NT attended the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore trade show last month. Nearly 63,000 visitors attended. A future action plan is being developed with our new trade marketing representatives in Singapore. Read more >		Broaden your perspective One of the keynote speakers at the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference, Professor Gerry Bodeker, will expand your views of just what Indigenous tourism is – and what it can be. Read more about the speakers >

Win $16,000 of advertising value Enter the Melaleuca Awards and win a trophy and feature advertising to the value of $16,000. The awards are presented for clever ways of reducing waste, water and energy use. Read more >		ATEC backpacker conference Are you involved in backpacker and youth tourism? Registration is open for the 2012 ATEC conference on 1 May on the Sunshine Coast. The full program has also been released. Read more >

EnvironmeNT grants

EnvironmeNT grants are available for projects that provide benefits to the environment through direct action. Businesses must submit expressions of interest by 16 March.