LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir – Visitors to the Red Centre now have a guide to the region’s best art galleries and centres through the establishment of new tourist art trails.
I was delighted to officially launch Tourism Central Australia’s Art Trail program this morning and I congratulate those behind the concept.
The trails have been made possible by a $12,000 Government grant from the Regional Economic Development Fund and support from the Alice Springs Regional Economic Development Committee.
Tourism Central Australia recognised a gap in the visitor market and has partnered with local art businesses to maximise exposure of their galleries, arts centres and events.
This focus on niche visitor sectors is a great way of reaching out to special interest communities interstate and overseas, encouraging them to come to the Red Centre for an authentic art and culture experience.
The Trails are available in both a hard-copy booklet, as well as digital app, revealing hidden artistic gems and cultural experiences around the region.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback that we’ve received in regards to this art trail project is an indicator that there is demand out there for an arts guide that showcases all the amazing arts experiences that the Red Centre has to offer.
27 operators are part of the project which incorporates four separate art trails across Central Australia and the Barkly.
Alice Springs Central – 10 galleries / art spaces, three major events.
Alice Springs to Uluru – Via Stuart Highway, three galleries / art spaces.
Outback Art – West MacDonnell Ranges and communities, eight galleries / art spaces.
Tennant Creek/Barkly – Two galleries / art spaces, one major event.
Tourism in Central Australia is showing signs of recovery after years of decline under Labor.
The most recent domestic visitor statistics from Tourism Research Australia show that in 2014 total visitors were up 4.6 per cent in Central Australia and up 8.8 per cent in Alice Springs and MacDonnell.
To help further support this recovery, yesterday I was thrilled to announce a new $4.75 Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund as part of a push to develop new and improved tourism products in Budget 2015.
We want tourists who come to the Territory to have an expanding menu of experiences to choose from and this $4.75 million is an investment in broadening what we have to offer.
The program will be available to operators and projects right across the Territory and will contain a particular focus on regional, remote and Indigenous tourism products. I hope to see many Central Australian operators accessing this fund.
Adam Giles
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Minister for Tourism
PHOTO provided by Tourism Central Australia
Thursday, November 21, 2024
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