Supporting Katherine’s tourism industry

The grant enables the tourism industry to improve customer experience through product enhancements, generating positive promotion for the Territory.

Tourism NT Executive Director Industry Development Valerie Smith, said the Northern Territory Government recently engaged KPMG for an analysis into the development and ongoing operation of short-stay accommodation options in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.

“Anecdotally, the availability, quality and pricing of current accommodation options in these regional centres is lacking, which is restricting economic growth in the region,” she said.

“The analysis helped us identify that a focus on the regions was really important for this round of funding.”

Ms Smith said on a three year average between 2020 to 2022, the Katherine Daly region received 287,000 visitors who spent approximately $217 million in the region and stayed on average 3.4 nights.

Katherine Motel was one of the successful applicants, who are upgrading to bright, modern, and functional rooms through fixture and bathroom upgrades, installation of kitchenettes in eight rooms and a new barbeque guest kitchen.

Katherine Motel owner Urmil Lamba said March next year was the target to complete the works, just in time for the next dry season.

“We are working hard on organising the hotel, as it’s been a busy season and we want to be ready for the next year,” she said.

“It’s the small things that make the difference – refreshed rooms with new cabinetry and bedheads will be going into the final 25 motel rooms.

Katherine Motel were also recipients of VEEP Round four.

“With funding from that round, we replaced all the air-conditioners in RJ’s Bar and Bhoj Restaurant which is located at the same premises,” Ms Lamba said.

For VEEP round seven, 49 Territory businesses shared almost $3 million in grants to enhance their product offerings.