Tourism NT becomes first Australian jurisdiction to boost travel for the COVID vaccinated with new $5m tourism campaign

The Northern Territory has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to boost travel for tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tourism NT today launched a $5 million mission pointed toward drawing in highway travelers to the Territory during the wet season, presenting discounts of up to $1,000 on tourism packages.

The campaign, presently in its second year, will this time be exclusively accessible to double-jabbed tourists, who will want to get a $200 discount for each $1,000 they spend on flights, accommodation, tours, attractions, and/or vehicle hire.

It comes only days after Chief Minister Michael Gunner uncovered the NT government’s stage 3 reopening roadmap, which will see further Territory travel limitations lifted when the overall NT vaccination rate arrives at 80% and mandates vaccinations for laborers in ‘high-risk’ settings.

NT Tourism and Hospitality Minister Natasha Fyles said boosting travel for vaccinated Australians was tied in with securing Territorians and different guests to the NT and compensating those doing their bit to counter COVID-19.

“We want people coming to the Territory, [but] we want them coming safely,” she said.

“We don’t want them to come in and potentially be unwell and be a burden on our health system.

“This is an incentive – it’s not saying you can’t come to the Territory if you’re not vaccinated.

“But the NT government is putting its money where we believe the good public policy is, by saying if you’re vaccinated, you’re eligible for this significant discount.”

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade deputy chief executive Andrew Hopper said to demonstrate they had been fully vaccinated and get the discount, tourists would need to show their vaccination certificates to travel retailers part of the plan.

He said the campaign would additionally situate the NT as one of the most secure tourist destinations in Australia.

“Tourism NT will be the first Australian tourism body to offer a vaccine incentive, cementing the Northern Territory as the premier COVID-safe travel destination,” he said.

“As the Territory heads into its summer season, it is imperative that we continue to drive bookings, grow the value of the holiday market and position the NT as an accessible, safe and affordable tourist destination, to support the NT’s tourism sector.”

Tourism campaign, which is named the Summer Sale, will run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.