Northern Territory tourism bouncing back

Holidaymakers are heading north in their droves and staying away from home longer, with the Northern Territory recording a massive jump in tourist numbers over the past year.

Interstate visitor numbers were up 51 per cent, with a 40 per cent increase overall for the 12 months to March 31 compared to the year prior, according to Tourism Research Australia data.

"It is fantastic to see 1.25 million domestic visitors have spent $1.5 billion in the territory," NT Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nicole Manison said on Thursday.

"This data shows tourism is bouncing back in the territory with domestic visitors staying longer and spending more per trip than pre-pandemic."

Territorians travelling within the NT for holidays also increased, up by 19 per cent.

Despite the positive surge, tourist numbers remain lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the NT's borders closing to domestic and international travellers in 2020.

Tourism contributed $852 million, or 3.3 per cent of the NT's gross state product, in 2019/20.

The industry currently employs about 12,500 people, according to the NT government.