Budget Paper No.6 1997/98 Northern Territory Economy
Tabled Paper 3223
Tabled Papers for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; Tabled papers; ParliamentNT
1997-04-30
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C1968A00063
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/289257
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/404114
for further growth based on the demonstrated commitment shown by the Territory Government and private operators to develop the industry and the confidence of investors as evidenced by infrastructure developments. The Territory tourism industry has a distinct peak season from June to September, coinciding with the dry season. In order to raise the level of visitation outside this period, the Northern Territory Tourist Commission (NTTC) has conducted a Tropical Summer advertising campaign over the past two wet seasons. This campaign has proved to be a success, with tourist accommodation statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the December quarter 1996 recording the highest December quarter room occupancy rates since 1980, and despite a large increase in the supply of rooms over the year. The Northern Territory Travel Monitor Summary Report 1995-96 prepared for the NTTC shows that the total number of overnight visitors travelling within the Territory increased by 11.0% (to 1.3 million) in 1995-96 compared with the figure a year earlier. This increase was the net result of large increases in overseas visitors (up 32.9%) and interstate visitors (up 26.5%) offset by a 17.9% decline in Territorians travelling overnight within the Territory. This decline may reflect improved transport services leading to reduced travel times. During 1995-96, visitors are estimated to have spent $718.4 million in the Northern Territory on accommodation, tours, food, souvenirs and other goods and services. This represents an 8.0% increase on 1994-95. Over this period, expenditure by overseas visitors and interstate visitors both increased strongly by 17.8% and 14.8% respectively. Expenditure by Territorians declined by 27.6%, after a sharp increase of 36.8% in the previous year. Similarly nights spent in the Territory by overseas visitors and interstate visitors increased during 1995-96, while visitor nights for Territorians decreased. Although interstate visitors continue to make up the largest component of demand for accommodation in the Territory, future growth in accommodation demand is likely to be underpinned by the international market. 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 Tourism Expenditure Overseas Interstate Northern Territory Source: NTTM Summary Report 1995-96 $ million Figure 9.2 Tourism 51