The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today announced $100,000 in tourism funding for Crocodylus Park and Zoo Wildlife Research and Education Centre in Darwin.
TQUAL Grants funding will be used to improve the crocodile viewing area by constructing a cantilevered viewing platform with transparent safety panels, a covered entrance walkway to the platform and an uncovered path along one bank of Crocodylus Gorge. Minister Ferguson said, "Crocodylus Park is one of Darwin's premier tourism attractions. By giving visitors the opportunity to learn about crocodiles, feed and hold them, it not only attracts visitors to Darwin, it offers them a uniquely Australian experience and encourages them to stay longer and explore the city.
"Through the TQUAL Grants program the Australian Government is investing $8.3 million in seventy projects across Australia including $400,000 towards four projects here in the Northern Territory. This is an investment in local jobs and communities," he said. "Attractions like Crocodylus Park help remind Australians of the appeal of an Australian holiday. The Australian Government and Tourism Australia's "No Leave No Life" campaign is encouraging Australians to use their 123 million days of accumulated annual leave worth $33 billion in wages to take their family or friends for an Australian holiday experience."
The Northern Territory has the highest tourism share of total employment (9.5 percent) of any State or Territory. Tourism directly employs approximately 10,000 Territorians and contributes almost $1 billion to the economy each year.
"The Australian Government understands the importance of tourism to Darwin. That is why last year we invested $7 million dollars in community infrastructure projects throughout the local region including a $3.6 million dollar investment in the Darwin City Revitalisation Project to upgrade roads, parks and public spaces in the city centre."
The significance of tourism across Australia is recognised in the Australian Government's National Long-Term Tourism Strategy, which, in partnership with industry and state and territory governments, aims to improve product quality and accreditation, build a skilled and innovative workforce, unlock investment in infrastructure, and make the most of our natural competitive advantages such as our landscapes and indigenous and cultural heritage.