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🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

Alice Springs tourism operators celebrate funding after toughest days

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Alice Springs tourism operators will benefit from a $2.5 million federal grant to develop new tourism experiences.
  • The Olive Pink Botanic Garden will establish an Indigenous Tourism Hub with the funding.
  • A 'Fly Free to Alice' initiative aims to attract tourists by covering flight costs, encouraging longer stays.

Tourism operators in Alice Springs are celebrating a significant funding boost that promises to revitalize the region's visitor economy. A $2.5 million federal grant will be distributed among 17 local businesses, enabling the creation of new and enhanced tourism experiences.

It's really exciting … We're in such a great position to support Indigenous tourism business.

— Samantha HusseyThe general manager of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden on the new funding.

The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is set to become home to a new Indigenous Tourism Hub. General manager Samantha Hussey expressed excitement, highlighting the garden's strong position to support Indigenous tourism businesses. While First Nations operators already offer cultural walks and workshops, the hub will centralize these activities and improve booking systems, providing a dedicated space to experience Indigenous culture in Alice Springs.

Bring it all together, bring some booking systems together and really let people know that this is a great place to come and experience Indigenous culture in Alice Springs.

— Samantha HusseySamantha Hussey describing the vision for the Indigenous Tourism Hub.

Beyond the botanic garden, the funding will support diverse ventures, including bus tours to significant cultural sites and e-bike tours. This initiative is part of a larger $8.5 million federal promise to boost tourism in Central Australia, with $1 million already allocated to operational costs for businesses.

This campaign is 'Fly free to Alice Springs', it's not 'Fly free to Central Australia' … you can fly out of Uluru, but it is very purposely designed to give people the opportunity to fly directly to Alice Springs.

— Danial RochfordTCA chief executive Danial Rochford explaining the focus of the 'Fly Free to Alice' campaign.

Adding to the revitalisation efforts, a new 'Fly Free to Alice' campaign, launched by Tourism Central Australia (TCA), will cover flight costs to the town. TCA chief executive Danial Rochford hopes this will attract at least 1,000 interstate visitors, encouraging them to stay for a minimum of two nights. This campaign aims to draw tourists beyond Uluru and boost Alice Springs' economy, especially during the typically quieter summer period from January to August next year. The initiative comes as a welcome relief after Qantas recently axed direct flights between Alice Springs and Melbourne, a move that had been devastating for the local industry.

Two nights in accommodation here in Alice Springs [and] experiences and attractions are part of the package and you must have that.

— Danial RochfordDanial Rochford detailing the requirements for the 'Fly Free to Alice' package.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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