The Northern Territory Government’s Tourism and Events NT has launched the next phase of the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032 in Alice Springs.
The strategy is designed to grow the visitor economy to $3 billion by 2032 with 1.7 million trips. The target, shared between the Top End and Central Australia regions, supports an estimated 6,000 new jobs, 228,000 additional aviation seats and 200,000 extra room nights across the Northern Territory by 2032. It drives sustainable year-round visitation, development, liveability, and economic growth.
The Top End region looks to boost expenditure to $2 billion with 1.3 million trips, while Central Australia’s target is $1 billion expenditure with 600,000 trips by 2032.
Horizon 1 to 2028 builds momentum and unlock opportunities through action plans that support the five key strategic priorities: Perception, Experiences, People and Workforce, Infrastructure and Investment, and Access and Connectivity.
Tourism Research Australia data released today, showed the NT has continued double-digit growth, with visitation +17 per cent higher to December 2025 compared to the same period over the previous year.
The NT welcomed 1.25 million visitors in total including 995,000 domestic visitors, an increase of 18 per cent. Internationally there were 255,000 visitors with key markets being US, UK, China, Germany and New Zealand.
This strategy expands beyond leisure to meet diverse travel purposes: business, work, study, events and visiting friends and relatives.
The strategy leans on the Territory’s unique and distinctive advantages, from iconic national parks to an abundance of outback adventure and fishing, authentic Aboriginal cultures and proximity to Asia. In spite of the recent weather events and continuing global uncertainty arising from the Middle East conflict, the strategy positions the Northern Territory for long term opportunity across the visitor economy drivers, and the Action Plans provide robust steps to support a sustainable future for the industry.
“Through an extensive 12-month consultation period, the co-designed strategy sets out how tourism, events, parks, cultural experiences and hospitality will drive growth, jobs and community vibrancy in the years ahead,” Tourism and Events NT CEO Suzana Bishop said.
“This strategy has been built through genuine engagement with industry, regional partners, communities and government. It reflects the insights, ambitions and passion of the people who power our visitor economy every day.”
“By sharing our region’s stories with authenticity, growing Aboriginal-led experiences and celebrating our unique landscapes and cultures, we can welcome more visitors throughout the year,” Tourism Central Australia CEO Danial Rochford said. “The Central Australia regional action plan is the guiding star we need to drive a coordinated effort.”
“Fostering new product development to suit our climate is key as well as working towards better-connected journeys across Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Arnhem Land, while improving local infrastructure and services,” Tourism Top End GM Sam Bennett said. “We now have the Top End regional action plan to guide and move us forward.”
More information on the Northern Territory Visitor Economy Strategy 2032 is available on the website.
