The current strategic plan for the Northern Territory tourism industry – the Five Year Tourism Strategic Plan 2008 - 2012 – will soon be coming to the end of its operational lifespan. Much has been achieved from the Five Year Plan; a summary of progress is outlined in the Five Year Strategic Plan 2011 Industry Update.

The tourism industry and wider Territory community are being actively involved in the development of the new strategic plan. A discussion paper focusing on the key issues impacting the success of the Northern Territory tourism industry was released in December 2011, with the aim of starting a sector and community wide conversation about the future of tourism in the Territory. A number of submissions have been received in response to the discussion paper, view submissions here.

A series of regional public workshops were held between February and March in Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Yulara, Katherine and Darwin. A forum for indigenous tour operators and those interested in becoming involved in tourism was also held ahead of the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference in Darwin. View the workshop notes here.

Many more individuals have shared their thoughts directly by phone, email, online or through small group consultations.  Collectively, over 400 people have contributed to shaping the future direction of tourism in the Northern Territory. 

Next steps

Missed out on having your say?  There's still time.  Contact the EC3 Global Project Manager, Mark Olsen  – phone 07 3238 1913 or email haveyoursay.tourismnt@nt.gov.au.

Five industry reference groups made up of government and industry stakeholders were established at the beginning of the process to identify key industry issues and opportunities.  The groups include Aviation and Access, Communication and Distribution, the Market Mix, Labour and Skills and Product and Investment.  In addition, a small expert panel was established to test the emerging strategic priorities identified through consultations undertaken to date.  The expert panel and the reference groups met again in April to provide feedback and guidance on the next stage of the plan's development. 

A draft strategic plan will be released for public comment between July and September.  The final plan is expected to be adopted in early 2013.

For more information about the process of developing the new strategic plan, please download the Towards 2020 Project Factsheet.