Tourism spending growth a positive sign for the Territory

Growing visitor expenditure is welcome news for the Territory’s economy.

Tourism Research Australia’s latest figures show overnight visitor spending reached $2.36 billion in 2025-26, up 24%. Interstate overnight trips increased 7.1%, while international visits grew 9%.

These are encouraging results for Territory tourism and hospitality operators, and for the many businesses that supply and support them.

The benefits extend through accommodation, restaurants, retail, transport, events and local supply chains, creating opportunities in Darwin, regional towns and remote communities.

DMBG recognises the operators and their teams whose investment and persistence underpin the visitor economy.

The next step is to turn this spending growth into sustained business confidence, stronger profitability and year-round employment. Overall overnight trips remained broadly steady, so there is still work to do to broaden demand and encourage longer stays.

Reliable and affordable air access, resilient roads, workforce availability and timely investment approvals all matter. Businesses need confidence to invest in better experiences, expand capacity and employ more Territorians.

Tourism is an important part of a diverse Territory economy. These results give us something positive to build on.