Two new categories have been included in the 2019 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards, the industry’s premier awards.

Nominations are now open for Territorians to enter the Digital Marketing Award and the International Marketing Excellence Award.

The Digital Marketing Award will recognise a campaign or activity that demonstrated innovation and creativity across at least one digital channel for a Territory-based tourism product or collective of products.

The International Marketing Excellence Award is designed to highlight an NT tourism product or collective whose marketing programs have focused on at least one international market. The winners of these two new categories will each receive a grant of $5000 to help with future marketing programs.

The new awards complement two categories introduced in 2018 – the Visitor Experience Award and the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Award. These awards have a grant of $10,000 and $5000 respectively, to help the winners further improve their product and visitor experience.

The Brolga Awards are an opportunity for tourism operators to be recognised for their industry contribution and achievements over the past 12 months. Nominations are free and help is available for those wishing to enter. Entries are due by Thursday, 5 September. The 2019 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards will take place on Saturday, 16 November in Alice Springs. For more information visit www.brolgaawards.com.au

Quotes from Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Deputy CEO, Andrew Hopper:

“Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy. It is a key economic driver and employs more than 16,000 Territorians – around 12 per cent of our workforce.

“The NT Government is supporting the industry through Turbocharging Tourism and TURBO2. These initiatives are improving visitor experiences and helping operators develop new ways to showcase their offerings, to increase visitation numbers across the Territory.

“These two new award categories are recognition of operators adapting to a changing environment when it comes to promoting the Territory as a must-visit destination.

“The Brolgas encourage tourism operators to continually improve their offerings, to attract more visitors to experience our world-class tourism sector and create jobs for Territorians.

“Entering the Brolgas offers the opportunity to undertake a self-assessment of your business and discover areas where you could improve. At the same time, you get to promote your business to your peers, Territorians and nationally, as winners of the NT Brolga Awards go through to the national Australian Tourism Awards.”

Quotes from Natasha Abbott, Operations Manager, Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours:

“Winning the 2018 Emerging NT Aboriginal Tourism Award was a very special and proud moment for us. It was the first time we had entered for a Brolga, and receiving this award gave our community a great sense of pride and determination to succeed in sharing and maintaining the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people’s way of life. We now know we have a wonderful product that is special and unique to share with everyone who visits the Watarrka National Park region.

“Our $5000 prize money was put towards marketing materials, as well as extra seating, tables, and brushwood fencing for our tour site areas, to enhance the visitor experience.

“The Brolgas are a great way to showcase your product, as well as highlight your region and promote the NT to the rest of Australia and worldwide.”

Media contact: Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Media Manager 0428 052 647