Restaurants across Australia’s Northern Territory have until August 31 to register for the Darwin International Laksa Festival, a month-long event that Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby says serves as both a cultural celebration and economic driver for the hospitality sector.
The festival, running from 1st to 31st October with a finale on November 1, has expanded this year with a new Saturday finale location at Darwin Waterfront, designed to maximise attendance and create additional opportunities for local restaurants.
Last year’s festival demonstrated the event’s potential for restaurant marketing and revenue generation. Yaye’s Café in Alice Springs won the Regional People’s Choice Best Laksa Inspired-By award with their innovative Laksa Empanadas, which have since become a signature dish drawing both locals and tourists.
“The Laksa Festival gave us the chance to celebrate culture, community, and creativity all in one dish,” said the Yaye’s Café team. “Being recognised as a regional winner was a proud moment – the response from locals and visitors has been amazing.”
Customer engagement through ‘Laksa League’
The festival’s Laksa League component creates a gamified dining experience that drives repeat visits throughout October.
Customers eat, rate and review participating dishes, with their feedback contributing to the People’s Choice Awards. Last year’s champion consumed more than 75 laksa dishes during the 31-day period, demonstrating the program’s ability to generate sustained customer engagement.
The league structure provides restaurants with detailed customer feedback while encouraging multiple visits from participants competing for prizes.
Economic impact and growth strategy
According to Minister Boothby, food festivals like the Darwin International Laksa Festival play a crucial role in the Territory’s broader economic development strategy.
The NT currently leads Australia in economic growth and population momentum according to the latest CommSec report, with events and hospitality sectors driving much of that success.
“Events like this aren’t just fun, they’re economic drivers. They boost hospitality, support jobs, and play an important role in our commitment to rebuild the economy,” Boothby said.
The festival finale will feature live music, cooking demonstrations, roving performers, and the presentation of the Golden Bowl and People’s Choice Awards, creating additional marketing opportunities for participating venues.
Venues from Darwin to Alice Springs can register to serve traditional laksa or laksa-inspired dishes. The festival structure allows restaurants flexibility in menu development while tapping into the growing popularity of Southeast Asian cuisine.
Business registrations remain open through August 31, with festival organisers encouraging both returning participants and first-time entrants to join the Territory-wide celebration that positions local restaurants at the centre of a significant tourism and community event.
