Published on : Saturday, August 9, 2014
The Giles Government is investing in improving the ‘road-trip’ experience for Territory visitors with a $100,000 grant to upgrade the Wauchope Hotel.
“My Government is committed to upgrading the Territory’s tourism infrastructure to maximise the opportunities for jobs and development in our regions including the Barkly,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.
“This grant for the Wauchope Hotel will underpin an improved visitor experience at one of the Northern Territory’s key tourism assets – the Devil’s Marbles.”
Announcing the grant on location in Central Australia this weekend, Mr Giles said the $100,000 grant is part of a $1.3 million pool of NT and Federal funding for tourism development and infrastructure.
The Wauchope Hotel owners are also contributing $125,000 to the upgrade.
“The roadhouse can be a vital stop for travellers along the Stuart Highway between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs and this money will ensure that we are providing the best facilities possible for weary, hungry travellers, who are keen to explore the Barkly Region.
“The drive market is a key tourism segment for the Territory accounting for approximately 290,000 people in the year to March. Of those, 149,000 were Territorians taking a holiday around the NT by car, 91,000 were from interstate and 50,000, international.
“Research has also shown many people like to travel less than 200km per day, so this strategic investment will also support Tennant Creek operators and offer more options for people to spend extra time in the region.”
The Wauchope Hotel, will erect three seven-berth self-contained cabins to double its accommodation capacity.
It is also planning to overhaul its exterior fascia, external walls and fences and improve the ageing highway signage.
The Wauchope Hotel has big plans including promoting the site as a destination for special events, conferences, team building and eventually as a new mountain bike trail hotspot.
Hotel co-owner Greg Targett said revitalising the road-house was long overdue.
“I don’t quite believe it – it’s really exciting. We only bought this business about a year ago, and we see this as a really good opportunity to promote tourism,’’ Mr Targett said.
“We feel the Marbles are underutilised, yet it’s one of the best tourist attractions around.
“This extra accommodation is just what we need – we’re always booked out and we’re turning people away – that’s the reason we have to double our accommodation immediately.’’
Earlier this year the Giles Government helped establish a Local Tourism Advisory Committee to boost visitor numbers to the Barkly region.
“The committee is made up of local tourism operators and provides input directly to Tourism NT to help shape the annual tourism marketing of the region.
The Committee is a good example of how the Government has listened to the people of Tennant Creek and delivered,” Mr Giles said.
The Territory Government has also recently provided $235,000 to help Tennant Creek’s Battery Hill Mining Centre complete major repairs, renovations and improvements to the tourism experience and function centre.
This will include reopening the stamp battery to allow for touring, providing a reason for tourists to stay longer in the town.
Tags: central australia
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