New airlinks between Darwin and South-East Asia could prove a boon for the Northern Territory’s Thailand Grand Festival, organisers say.
NT Thai Association President Tou Ruchkaew says the 10th Thailand festival in 2026 will continue to attract visitors from across Australia and Asia.
“With the new AirAsia and Qantas flights (airlinks from) Darwin to Singapore, Denpasar and Kuala Lumpur, there’s no excuse not to come and experience one of Darwin’s most popular multicultural events,” she says.
The NT government just released a list of 14 events will receive financial support under the first round of its 2025-26 Event Funding Program (EFP).
Major Events and Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby expects live events to play a key role in her government’s economic plans.
“Our government delivered a huge first year of events, from the MXGP and international cricket to Red Centre festivals that broke records and filled hotels,” she says.
AIRLINKS AND TOURISM GROWTH
“We’re seeing real results in tourism, with record outcomes for the year ending June 2025; the Territory is leading the nation in visitor numbers and expenditure, including a 19% increase in overnight trips and a 13% rise in visitor expenditure compared to the previous year.”
Funding will go the following events for 2026: Darwin Comedy Festival, NT Writers Festival, Darwin Fringe Festival, national U18 men’s and women’s hockey championships, Garrmalang Festival, Hottest Sevens in the World, Barunga Festival (2026-28), Cricket 365 T20 Series (2026-28), Thailand Grand Festival, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Country to Couture (2026-28), Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series (2026-28), Finke Desert Race, Garma Festival (2026-28) and Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2026-28).
“With the creation of Tourism and Events NT, we will soon have a single, powerful agency to market the Territory with greater impact, attract visitors year-round, and deliver stronger returns for local jobs and businesses: the EFP is part of that vision,” says Boothby.
EARLIER NEWS: AirAsia brings back Bali-Darwin airlink
