The Northern Territory is unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s a place of rich Indigenous culture. It’s home to one of Australia’s most iconic symbols, Uluru. And it’s the setting for one-of-a-kind experiences amid incredible natural beauty, from the tropical top end to the Red Centre outback. Many of these unique natural and cultural experiences are found in the territory’s network of parks and reserves.
The Northern Territory’s tourism and hospitality industry means big business. It’s a cornerstone of the NT economy and its largest employing industry.
The NT tourism industry
- employs 15,600 people (11.8% of workers)
- A$2.2 billion GVA
There’s an amazing trajectory of growth in areas like Indigenous tourism, cruises, business events, education, luxury and adventure tourism. Visitors love to drive the highways and back roads or cruise coastlines and rivers, exploring the length and breadth of the Territory. The NT is largely undeveloped and that means a wealth of untapped opportunity. Enterprising businesses with a vision can not only create unique and engaging adventure experiences, but launch new ways to support visitors finding and engaging their travel passions, through new customer experience technology for hotels, to wayfinding technology or the latest in the design of remote, outdoor accommodation.
Incentives, grants and support
Bring or build your tourism business in the Northern Territory and you could qualify for a range of government grants and assistance programs, including funding to help you attract staff and commercialise new products or services and improve customer experiences.
The Darwin Innovation Hub is home to the Northern Territory’s leading startup and business growth ecosystem, and counts tourism businesses among its members. The Hub has grants available through its Entrepreneurs Programme to help eligible applicants grow their business.
Tourism operators are assisted through Tourism Top End and Tourism Central Australia, the Northern Territory’s Regional Tourism Organisations. These membership-based associations support the tourism sector with business development, capacity building, networking events and advocacy.