The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has launched the Red Centre Way regional tourism project in Alice Springs and fulfilled the Rudd Government's 2007 election commitment.
The Red Centre Way is a touring route between Alice Springs and Uluru which gives visitors to Central Australia a better experience of the region's distinctive cultural and natural wonders.
The $500,000 funding commitment from the Australian Government will provide tourism infrastructure including welcome facilities and a gateway entry sign at John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve (an important road-side stop for visitors travelling west from Alice Springs) and on Lasseter Highway, 4kms east of the Yulara Airport. It will also fund orientation signs at the intersection of Luritja and Lasseter Roads and the installation of interpretive information at the Yulara Visitor Centre.
The Red Centre Way is part of Australia's Red Centre National Landscape; one of nine National Landscapes being marketed and developed as key tourism regions based on their unique natural beauty and cultural significance.
Minister Ferguson said: "By investing in tourism in Alice Springs, we are supporting jobs and the local community.
"Tourism in this region helps diversify the economy and create indigenous employment opportunities."
Australian tourism is a $40 billion industry. In the Northern Territory, tourism directly employs more than 10,000 people and contributes almost $1 billion to the Territory's economy each year.
The Australian Government remains committed to funding tourism projects including $400,000 towards four TQUAL Grants projects in the Northern Territory.
Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon said: "Support by the Australian Government for valuable local tourism projects like the Red Centre Way will help the tourism industry make an even stronger contribution to our region's economic prosperity".