14 Northern Territory tourism operators are on their way to the world’s biggest travel trade show the International Tourism Borse (ITB) in Berlin 6-10 March, which is part of the 2017 NT Central Europe Mission.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations General Manager Northern Territory Michael Toomey said his team was pleased to be attending ITB.

“The RFDS tourist facility is a new product for the Territory so it’s important to promote the availability of this attraction, especially when there is growing tourism interest in military history around the world.

“The facility brings together two iconic stories in the one location: the RFDS, which began operations in the NT in 1939 and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942.

"Both of these historic events helped forge the resolve and resilience of the people who live in Australia's Northern Territory," Mr Toomey said.

The 2017 NT Central Europe Mission will promote Northern Territory operators at a range of events with some operators attending ITB (Berlin), Tourism Australia’s Australia Marketplace (Los Angeles) and a Central Europe Roadshow (Zurich, Stuttgart and Munich) targeting European trade and distribution networks.

The Central Europe Mission is a targeted opportunity to gain mass exposure for Australia and the Northern Territory and an important tool for Territory tourism businesses to gain knowledge and business networks.

The key event, ITB is the world’s largest tourism trade fair staged annually in Berlin. It provides an opportunity for our local operators to talk with key players in the tourism industry in one place at one time.

This overall showcase allows industry to gain insights into what the competition is doing and to showcase our territory product. Importantly, it provides NT tourism operators with an opportunity to develop relationships with key trade members.

Tourism NT’s continued positioning and promotion of the Northern Territory and its tourism product to international markets is crucial to growing the visitor economy.

Tourism is critical to the Northern Territory, estimated to be worth $1.8 billion to the economy (Gross Value Added, GVA) and provides 15,500 direct and indirect jobs.

Chief Executive Officer Department of Tourism and Culture Alastair Shields said he would fly to London for meetings with industry representatives and then join the Territory contingent at ITB in Berlin.

“I will be meeting with influential members of tourism trade companies, including airlines, wholesalers and other key distribution partners.

“The UK and Europe are our traditional international source markets and it’s crucial that we continue to position and promote the Territory to our key source markets.

“It’s fantastic to see the local industry getting on board to take the Territory on the road to encourage more visitors to the NT. 

“The UK is our second largest international market, and accounted for 14% of our international visitors with data showing that 41,000 visitors arrived in year ending September 2016,” he said.

NT OPERATORS ATTENDING ITB

• Intrepid Travel / Adventure Tours Australia
• Kakadu Cultural Tours
• Kakadu Tourism                                                                        
• On Tour NT                                                                               
• Outback Ballooning
• Outback Floatplane Adventures
• Outback Tour Services
• Parks Australia                                                                          
  RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility
• SEIT Outback Australia
• Uluru Camel Tours
• Venture North
• Voyages Indigenous Tourism
• Wayoutback Australian Safaris

Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture 0448 698 409.