There are fewer backpackers in the NT but international tourists rose to almost 300,000 in the past year, according to the latest research.
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The NT Government says the latest figures from Tourism Research Australia show international visitor numbers up by 4.2 per cent for the year to March 2019.
Some 297,000 international visitors came to the Territory during the year, spending $473 million, which is an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.
Most of the visitors came here for holidays, but the numbers also include business travellers and those visiting friends and relatives.
The figures include a 6.5 per cent increase in visitors from the USA, the Territory's largest international market, reflecting additional investment into US-specific campaigns.
Elsewhere in Australia, China remains the leading tourism market followed by New Zealand.
Nationally, India continued as the strongest growth market.
For the NT, Japanese visitors recorded the biggest increase, with visitor numbers up 55 per cent, while visitors from China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) were up 48 per cent.
In good news for the Territory's hotel accommodation, the number of international visitors staying in hotels, resorts and motels increased by 12 per cent.
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Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss said the latest figures were good news.
"However, there is still more to be done. This growth is not being experienced across all regions or sectors of the industry, and we continue to work together to drive visitation across the Territory."
In answers to questions at Estimates hearings this week, Ms Moss said it was important that we acknowledge that not everyone is having a good season out there.
"There are some people who are struggling. I think an example of that is probably some of our operators in terms of the backpacker market.
"We all have memories of town being overrun by backpackers back in the day but that market is changing. The behaviour of backpackers is changing.
"It is a national challenge that we are grappling with. In that case, some of the operators in the youth market, for example, might be having a more challenging time than some of our other operators. We definitely acknowledge that.
"We are working really closely with operators and the industry on the 2030 vision so we are all working together. That strategy will be out over the next couple of months."
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