The Territory Labor Government is boosting the tourism sector with a $68 million investment in the 2024-25 Budget - which includes $6 million extra funding - to support the sector and talk up the Territory to our biggest visitor markets.
Tourism is an important economic driver in the Territory, contributing around $1.5 billion to the NT economy and supporting around 12,500 workers.
The $6 million tourism boost includes $3 million to encourage more international visitors to the Territory, and $3 million towards more cooperative marketing with airlines that have brought more airline routes and more passenger capacity to the NT through the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme.
The $3 million for international marketing in 2024-25 aims to maximise opportunities from Tourism Australia's global campaigns, including the Come and Say G'Day international awareness campaign.
The Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme has been instrumental in securing new routes and increasing capacity to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and Darwin airports, with three airlines and six new routes on offer to travellers since the scheme launched in July 2023.
The $68 million tourism investment in Budget 2024-25 demonstrated how Territory Labor Government continues to support the sector because it provides work opportunities for thousands of Territorians.
The Territory Labor and Australian Governments are also delivering a $6 million program to deliver strategic Indigenous tourism projects to stimulate and strengthen Aboriginal Territorians' participation in Australia's tourism industry.
Aboriginal tourism contributes $383 million to our local economy each year and we want to increase this investment through strategic programs that grow and diversify our local Aboriginal tourism product and offerings.
Quotes from Chief Minister Eva Lawler:
"Tourism is a key industry that gets the Territory working - and that's why we're backing it with this $68 million investment."
"We've worked hard with airlines, the tourism industry and airports to secure new direct flights to the Territory with Airnorth, Virgin Australia and Bonza all committing to new or extra services."
"We'll always talk about the Territory because we know that creates work opportunities for Territorians and supports local businesses."
Quotes from Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Joel Bowden:
"The Territory and tourism are a perfect pair - and the combination means more work opportunities for Territorians.
"We want our tourism sector to shine and that's why we're investing in marketing campaigns that get people excited.
"The latest tourism visitation figures are showing an upward trend and we want to keep the momentum going with this funding boost.
Northern Territory Government
