Qantas and Tourism NT have announced a new three-year marketing agreement aimed at attracting more tourists to the Northern Territory.
The joint agreement, worth up to $4.5 million, will focus on promoting the Territory across Australia and key international markets like the United States.
The new agreement is an almost 20 per cent increase on the previous agreement signed in 2016 and the Northern Territory is the first state or territory that Qantas has re-signed.
The partnership will include advertising in key markets, collaboration on media and industry initiatives and promotion of special fares and major events including Parrtjima, the Darwin Festival, Bruce Monroe: Tropical Light and the Field of Light exhibition.
Importantly, the Territory will be promoted across Qantas’ marketing and digital platforms, including to the airline’s 12 million Frequent Flyers.
Qantas Group Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Tully said the cooperation between the Northern Territory Government and the national carrier helped promote Darwin, Alice Springs, Uluru and the rest of the Territory.
“Qantas is proud to be the biggest private sector supporter of tourism to the Northern Territory and this deal will see us continue sharing this special place with the rest of Australia and the world,” Ms Tully said.
“Qantas has a deep history with the Northern Territory, and we understand the key role we play in bringing tourists and business travellers to the region which in turn drives the local economy.”
Qantas and Jetstar operate up to 288 flights in and out of the Territory each week, offering more than two million seats a year in both directions. The Group’s presence supports more than 400 local jobs and contributes more than $150 million to the Territory’s economy.
Network changes
From late October, Qantas will launch a new route between Broome and Darwin operated by QantasLink’s 100-seat Fokker F100*. Flights will operate non-stop three days per week and provide a new direct option for corporate travellers as well as providing connections for domestic and international travellers.
The new route has been made possible with the introduction of F100 aircraft on flights between Darwin and Alice Springs* while maintaining a double daily frequency for the majority of the year to better match existing and forecasted demand on the route.
The larger Boeing 737 aircraft which has operated on the route for the past two months has proven to be bigger than needed. The F100 is closer in size to the Boeing 717 which operated on the route until recently.
Qantas Domestic CEO Andrew David said the F100 will commence Broome-Darwin and Darwin-Alice Springs flights from 27 October 2019.
“This Broome route is the fourth new route the Qantas Group has launched in the Territory in the past year – Qantas launched two new routes to Uluru from Darwin and Adelaide in March and Jetstar launched Brisbane to Uluru in August last year,” Mr David said.
To celebrate the launch of Broome-Darwin, Qantas is offering special fares of $199 one-way for travel between 27 October 2019 to 27 March 2020 for sale until 24 June 2019.
Extension of Resident Fares
Mr David said Qantas had extended its resident fares program, and from today will offer discounted fares for residents of Yulara and surrounding communities, providing more affordable air travel to Darwin.
Residents can access discounts of between 20 and 30 per cent off any Economy flight to Darwin, except sale fares. Each resident can use the discount on up to 12 return fares for personal travel each year, saving at least $122 off the cost of a return trip.
Residents in Yulara join Alice Springs residents in the program, which offers flight discounts for people living in select remote cities to access their capital city.
NT Government Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Lauren Moss MLA, said the new tourism agreement, new route and resident fares were fantastic news for Territorians.
“The NT Government works closely with our airline partners to encourage tourism growth, new routes and accessible airfares, as we know they are vital for creating and supporting jobs in our tourism sector, and for improving the lives of Territorians.
“Broome is an ideal destination to link to Darwin. Darwin and Broome have unique and appealing qualities, and now travellers will be able to plan a trip that incorporates visiting both regions.
“The new tourism agreement, new route and new resident fares are a great vote of confidence in the Territory by Qantas.”
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