2005

Ms Martin said the plan, Taking the Next Steps, will be a practical blueprint to move tourism ahead and follows on from the highly successful $1.2 million Destination Alice Springs campaign,which reached more than 11 million Australians between March and late May this year.

“Taking the Next Steps sets out ways in which the local community and business operators can capitalise on the strengths of the area and grow the town as a tourism destination.

“Alice Springs is a special place and we need to take advantage of its unique assets like the desert environment and landscape, Indigenous art and craft and outback lifestyle.

“These unique features have been identified in the action plan and they will be used to develop new products and enhance existing products that will make the Alice Springs region stand out in a highly competitive market.”

Ms Martin said some of the actions identified in the plan include:

• • World Heritage listing for the MacDonnell Ranges
• • Improving service delivery through a hospitality service and training audit
• • Opening the Mall mid-week, supported by markets and music
• • An Indigenous tourism product development strategy
• • An accredited Desert Guides network for Central Australia
• • The need for an Interpretation Centre to introduce visitors to the region

“This document is the outcome of a consultative process over many months with local stakeholders as part of the Strengthening the Position of Alice Springs as a Tourism Destination project.

The project, undertaken by consultants Sustainable Tourism Services, is a joint initiative between the Northern Territory Tourist Commission and the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association.

The full report is posted on the NTTC Corporate website www.nttc.com.au and hard copies of an executive summary will be distributed to industry. Electronic and hard copies of the report and summary will also be available from CATIA and the Alice Springs Town Council.