Top End tourism and hospitality businesses seek lifeline amid rising costs
Tourism and hospitality businesses in the Top End are struggling with rising costs and decreased visitor numbers as the peak season begins. Popular venues like Flora's Temper have closed, prompting calls for the reintroduction of COVID-era tourism vouchers to support operators. Business owners are urging the Northern Territory government to implement measures that can provide immediate relief to the struggling sector.
- ▪Flora's Temper, a popular restaurant in Nightcliff, closed suddenly this month after two years of operation.
- ▪Hospitality and tourism operators are facing challenges such as increased operating costs and a drop in visitor numbers.
- ▪Business owners are calling on the NT government to reintroduce tourism vouchers that were effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NT tourism and hospitality businesses call for COVID-era vouchers as businesses close downBy George NicollTopic:Small BusinessesSat 23 May 2026 at 8:47amSat 23 May 2026 at 8:47amSat 23 May 2026 at 8:47amPopular restaurant and bar Flora's Temper closed suddenly this month, in a blow for the Nightcliff community. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)In short:Hospitality and tourism operators in the Top End are facing a range of challenges as the peak tourism season gets underway.Business owners say visitor numbers are down compared to previous years, operating costs have risen and bureaucratic challenges are making it harder to do business.What's next?A popular Darwin business has closed down, as others are calling on the NT government to implement COVID-era tourism vouchers to help keep operators…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).