NT sees 13 per cent increase in domestic visitor numbers in 2015

AUSTRALIAN  tourists are flocking to the Northern Territory in far greater numbers than this time last year and staying longer

DEC 31, 1999 : Melbourne couple Cameron Wellard & Anne Walstab at Uluru (Ayers Rock), for private New Year's Eve Millennium celebration. PicMegan/Lewis. Northern/Territory Travel NT tourism generic

AUSTRALIAN  tourists are flocking to the Northern Territory in far greater numbers than this time last year and staying longer.

New figures released Wednesday by Tourism Research Australia show a 13 per cent increase in domestic visitor numbers and a 17.5 per cent increase in the number of visitor nights in the year to September.

Tourism and Transport Forum Australia chief executive Margy Osmond said the figures were the latest in a string of good news for the local sector.

“Tourism is a beacon of light for the Australian economy and that’s the reason why we need a stronger partnership between government and industry to make sure it can reach its full potential for job creation and economic growth,” she said.

Along with the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania also posted double-digit growth in numbers.

Tourism Top End general manager Trevor Cox said the low Australian dollar was likely keeping some people from travelling overseas, but that the Territory’s calendar of major events was attracting them to the NT. Nationally, holiday makers made up the majority of domestic travellers, but figures also showed a sharp increase in the number of business travellers, suggesting the NT’s busy schedule of conferences was paying dividends.

“On the whole, the change is welcome, because the numbers have been flat for a few years,” he said.

“We have an undertaking from the current CLP government that they’re going to continue promoting major events as a way to bring in tourists.

“It’s everything from cultural events in Arnhem Land to Bird Week in Kakadu.”

The latest figures included the new Red Centre Nats festival in Alice Springs, helping boost numbers.

Mr Cox said creative promotions such as the Million Dollar Fish competition got people talking about the Territory, and would continue to benefit the NT after the promotion was over.

“It’s about continuing to promote the Top End’s natural beauty as our biggest drawcard,” he said.

Mr Cox said it was important to continue to focus on international and domestic markets, with European tourists helping to fill the shoulder season, with predictions of a growing number of Chinese visitors in coming years.