Tourism contributes substantially to the Northern Territory's economy, with a marked increase in economic activity during the peak tourism period of the dry season and the concurrent winter of the southern states.
In the period from 2004 to 2006 there were on average 1.4 million persons visiting the Northern Territory per year. The majority were domestic visitors (75%), with the remaining (25%) being international visitors. The Top End Area had the highest proportion of visitors (56%), as well as the longest average length of stay (7 nights). Popular places in the Top End region include Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and city of Darwin. The Centre Area constitutes the second highest proportion of visitors (44%)and is host to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
In 2006, 3707 persons were employed within tourist accommodation establishments which included 51 caravan parks, 91 hotels, motels, guest houses and serviced apartments, and 23 hostels. Takings from hotels, motels, guest houses, and serviced apartments in 2006 totalled $195.2 million. Takings for hostels in 2006 totalled $12.8 million, and $25 million for caravan parks.
Tourism accommodation, Northern Territory
: 2002-2006
Further information on tourism in the Northern Territory is available from the following sources:
Tourism Research Australia
Tourism NT
Aboriginal Tourism Australia
Tourism Accommodation, Small Area Data, Northern Territory (cat.no. 8635.7.55.001)
Tourism Region Maps and Concordance Files, Australia (cat.no. 9503.0.55.001)