The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering real results for tourism, with the Northern Territory achieving the highest percentage growth in visitor numbers and expenditure in the nation.
According to the latest research data by Tourism Research Australia, the year ending June 2025 saw a total of $1.7 billion in spending from more than 1.2 million overnight trips - an increase of 13% in spending and 19% in overnight trips on the previous year.
Total visitation to the Territory is trending upwards across both international and domestic markets, with double digit growth compared to the same time last year.
The Northern Territory experienced positive increases across the board:
The Territory welcomed 227,000 international visitors who spent $487 million in the year to June 2025, with total spending now surpassing pre-pandemic levels;Key overseas markets strengthened, with 34,000 visitors from the USA (up 20%), 25,000 from the UK (up 8.2%), and 20,000 from Germany (up 7.3%);Australian visitors surged by 21% compared to the same period in 2024, with 946,000 overnight trips and a 16% rise in spending to $1.2 billion;The NT recorded the highest domestic overnight visitation growth of any state compared to same period in 2024, signalling a strengthening market; andStrong forward bookings in regional NT from August to October 2025 reflect growing interest, boosted by events such as the Festival of Transport, Red CentreNATS, Blacken Open Air, Desert Song Festival, Desert Festival, and Desert Mob.
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality and Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby said the latest figures showed the CLP Government's ongoing commitment to revitalising the Territory's tourism sector was delivering real results.
"During our year of action, certainty and security, we're seeing real momentum, with more people choosing the NT as their destination of choice," said Ms Boothby.
"We've just come off a huge weekend of the MXGP, which attracted more than 36,000 attendances.
"We also announced this week that Tourism NT and NT Major Events Company will merge to form new entity Tourism and Events NT, which will enhance the Territory's ability to market tourism and events and strengthen visitor numbers.
Department of Tourism and Hospitality CEO Suzana Bishop said: "The latest figures highlight the momentum and the need to keep promoting the Territory to inspire visitation.
"With our low season campaign ' Best Kept Season' here underway and our Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032 here now out for consultation, we look forward to welcoming more visitors and building a stronger, more sustainable visitor economy right across the Territory."
Ms Boothby said the encouraging growth was accompanied by notable decreases in crime, which is critical to rebuilding the Territory's reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
"New crime figures show property crime and offences against the person have decreased over the past year, and between January and June 2025 there were 605 less victims of crime compared to the same period in 2024 under Labor," she said.
"We are laser-focused on our ongoing commitment to reducing crime, rebuilding the economy, and restoring our unique Territory lifestyle, because we know this is fundamental as we continue our work to drive long-term growth and attract visitors to the NT at any time of year."
