Launch of the East Arnhem Land Destination Management Plan

Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL) is pleased to announce the East Arnhem Land Destination Management Plan (DMP) was launched on Saturday 27 November 2021 by Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Natasha Fyles. 
 
The East Arnhem DMP was developed by DEAL, in partnership with Tourism NT, and with input from over 100 stakeholders including traditional owners, tourism operators, land councils, regional organisations, peak bodies and governments.
 
The DMP provides a clear roadmap for the region to achieve collaborative and sustainable growth of the tourism industry over the next 10 years. Actions have been identified to address product gaps, target industry development and facilitate investment in the region to encourage development of the industry.
 
The Project Implementation Team, which is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the DMP, will convene in December to determine priority projects for 2022.
 
The development of DMPs for the Northern Territory tourism regions was a key action from the Northern Territory’s Tourism Industry Strategy 2030. The East Arnhem Land DMP is one of six to be released, with four regional DMPs already being implemented across the Northern Territory and the final DMP for the Greater Darwin region scheduled for release in early 2022.

Destination vision

By 2031, East Arnhem Land will be a high-quality, year-round bucket list destination, which is internationally recognised for its cultural significance and natural beauty and is affordable to access by land, air and sea.

Comparative advantages for the region:

• East Arnhem Land is home to incredibly rich Yolŋu and Anindilyakwa culture, offering a unique opportunity for cultural immersion and learning experiences
• Unique natural environment: the unparalleled environment and breathtaking landscapes of East Arnhem Land make the region a pristine paradise.
• Diverse history: East Arnhem Land has a diverse and multifaceted history that lives on through its residents.
• Adventure drives: visitors can get off the beaten track and encounter a wide variety of scenery and wildlife as they journey across ancient landscapes.

Visitor data insights:

• 51,000 visitors to the region over a three-year average in 2017-2019
• The average length of stay in the region over the same period was 6.5 nights, resulting in a total of 330,000 visitor nights spent in the region
• The tourism industry contributed an estimated $9.04 million to the region’s economy in 2019-20, creating 101 jobs in the region
• It is estimated that tourism would contribute $61.09 million to the East Arnhem Land economy and generate a further 252 jobs if visitor economy growth potential is realised.

If you are interested in learning more about the DMP, please contact DEAL Tourism Development Officer, Ryley Heap, at tourism@developingeastarnhem.com.au.