Greg Norman lands in Northern Territory to scout tourism opportunities

CHAMPION Australian golfer Greg Norman has flown into the Territory scouting tourism opportunities.

Dubbed “the Great White Shark”, the Mount Isa born, Townsville raised professional golfer spent 331 weeks as world number one, creating a business empire which includes golf course design, wineries and beef.

Norman started his visit in Uluru yesterday joined by Chief Minister Adam Giles, who extended an invitation six months ago through former Macquarie Bank chief Bill Moss.

Moss is a part-time resident of Darwin during the dry season.

Mr Giles described the visit as a “scoping trip”.

“He is seeing what tourism development potential exists in the Northern Territory,” he said.

“We started in Uluru and will look at a range of sites and opportunities including a site adjacent to the wildlife park at Berry Springs.”

Norman is known for his golf course designs completing more than 70 across the world.

Mr Giles said Norman’s business networks could boost tourism investment and products in the Territory.

“We have to build more tourism product to compliment existing product and with additional airlines especially into Asia it brings it all together,” he said.

In 2013, golf tourism was estimated between $820 million and $1 billion in Australia.

On a market basis, international tourism accounts for 20 per cent of this amount.

A 2014 report by the Australian Golf Industry Council report found “the emergence of the Asian middle class is leading to increased demand for golf holidays as golfers are proving to be valuable consumers for any country, region or facility.”

Norman will tour more sites across Darwin today.

Source: NT News