Camel tour operator wants borders shut rather than see people die of coronavirus.

Extract from ABC News

ABC Alice Springs

By Emma Haskin

Posted Yesterday at 3:56pm

Camel trek operator Marcus Williams issues an emotional plea(ABC Alice Springs: Emma Haskin)

A concerned tourism operator in central Australia says Northern Territory's borders should remain closed because having them open is putting lives at risk given recent COVID-19 spikes.

Key points:

• An Alice Springs tourism operator holds dire concerns for the reopening of borders, even though it harms his business
• The operator said he would rather close his business than have one person die from COVID-19
• During the NT lockdown it was challenging to come up with funds to feed his 15 camels

Marcus Williams owns and runs Pyndan Camel Tracks on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

"I don't want the virus to come to the Territory. And I certainly don't want to be going to funerals," he said.

"If the virus does come here and it gets out of control, then unfortunately, we will be going to funerals."

Mr Williams said it was a very scary time.

"I'd much rather the borders to stay closed than to have people's lives at risk," he said.

"I'd much rather have my business close, I'd much rather not make money, than to have one person die.

"It's f***ing dangerous."

Diversifying in tough times

The coronavirus pandemic has not been easy on Mr Williams or his business.

"We've had to cut down our staff and we're not really making that much money at the moment," he said.

Mr Williams said that diversifying the business during lockdown was vital in keeping money coming in to feed his 15 camels.

"To feed my 15 camels, it costs me around $350-400 a week," he said.

Mr Williams struggled to feed his 15 camels during the lockdown.(ABC Alice Springs: Emma Haskin)

Pre-pandemic, Mr Williams used to give away camel manure for people's gardens.

"Then my wife suggested we should start selling the stuff to start making a little bit of money to be able to feed the camels, which worked really well," he said.

"People have gathered around to support local businesses, such as my my business.

"I've also been very surprised and overwhelmed with the generosity of people that have donated the camel rides that they'd previously paid for."

Tourism vouchers

To help stimulate the economy, the NT Government provided tourism vouchers where the Government would match up to $200 when residents contributed $200 of their own funds.

"The vouchers did come at the right time for my business because of the school holidays," he said.

"We were able to open up our business and start operating as per usual because the the coronavirus wasn't here in the Territory.

"People were feeling quite safe and were going out and doing stuff. It was really good and really worked."

Tourism operator Marcus Williams said COVID-19 impacted heavily on his camel trekking business.(ABC Alice Springs: Emma Haskin)

The flow-on effect was almost immediate.

"The amount of people that came out to ride during the school holidays, that were using those vouchers, has enabled my business to be able to afford to pay for feed for the next six months for my camels until the end of the year," Mr Williams said.