Budget 2025-26: Rebuilding tourism to rebuild the economy

13 May 2025

The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing the Territory’s tourism, events, and screen sectors with a significant $88.4 million investment in the 2025-26 Budget, delivering on its promise to reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore lifestyle.

Tourism is one of five priority growth sectors where the Territory holds advantages and long-term growth prospects under our 2025-2028 Rebuilding the Economy Strategy, supporting over 16,000 jobs and contributing $3.3 billion to the Territory economy each year.

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby said the Budget moved away from Labor’s short-term, band-aid spending, or in budget speak, ‘funding cliffs’ and delivers long-term confidence for the industry and the Territory.

“We’re not making promises we can’t deliver, we’re making smart, strategic investments that will grow visitation and drive tourism and hospitality sector confidence in the Northern Territory,” said Ms Boothby.

“This is a fiscally responsible plan to restore our reputation, support our operators and bring tourists back to the Territory.”

Key Budget investments include:

• New funding of $8 million per year from 2025-2026 - providing long-term certainty for the tourism industry.
• $3 million for the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program, backing businesses to improve and innovate, such as Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, who recently received support to install a new pool, spa, large shaded structure and a screened lounge area to enhance guest experiences.
• $3 million to build military tourism, positioning the NT as Australia’s first battlefield, including a full audit of 30 WWII heritage sites across the Territory to improve signage, infrastructure and access and a cutting-edge AI trip planner.
• $3.6 million for Screen Territory which delivers jobs, global exposure and economic return.
• Backing major events with $36.5 million that drive interstate and international visitation — from AFL, V8s and the Finke to Darwin Festival and MXGP.
• Support for the continued operation of our Visitor Information Centres in Yulara, Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
• A stronger focus on high-yield business events, supported by infrastructure like the new Convention Centre Hotel.
• A smarter, more mature approach by integrating Tourism NT and Major Events to better target marketing, streamline planning and grow visitation.

“We’ve already achieved more in eight months than Labor did in eight years,” said Ms Boothby.

“We’ve secured new aviation routes to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Gold Coast and Cairns, delivered a record cruise ship season, and locked in over 50 major conferences—expected to deliver an $85 million boost.”

The Budget also delivers on the CLP’s promise to integrate Parks and Wildlife with Tourism and Hospitality, ensuring better promotion and protection of our natural assets for our visitors and to be enjoyed by future generations.

“We inherited $12.3 billion in forecast debt from Labor, costing Territorians nearly $760 million a year,” said Ms Boothby.

“Our government is focused on fixing the fundamentals. This is a Budget that backs Territorians, restores confidence, and gets the Territory back on track.

“We promised Territorians a year of action, certainty and security, and our fiscally responsible plan will reduce crime, rebuild our economy and restore our lifestyle."

Media contact - Ebony Raymond - 0476 938 478