A spike in Chinese tourists flocking to the Northern Territory and splashing their cash is contributing to record-breaking national spending.
Chinese visitors in Australia spent $10 billion for the first time in the year ending September 2017, figures released on Tuesday show.
Chinese tourists to the Territory jumped 60 per cent during that time and their spending surged 87 per cent to $23 million, according to Tourism Research Australia data.
Tourists from the booming Asian nation spent 13 per cent more across the country year on year.
NT Tourism Minister Lauren Moss is travelling to China this week on a mission to woo international airlines and secure direct flights to Darwin.
"We have seen a significant increase in visitors from China in recent years but we are working hard to build those numbers and direct flights are key," she said from Singapore.
"We know Chinese visitors spend more on average than other visitors - it is an important and lucrative market."
Ms Moss said the Territory government is also lobbying the Turnbull government to stump up more cash for the iconic Kakadu National Park, which falls under commonwealth responsibility.
"We need the federal government to urgently invest in making key Kakadu attractions more accessible by sealing roads, upgrading existing product and working with us and traditional owners to open up new areas," she said.
Ms Moss says efforts to reinvigorate growth in the Top End must be doubled following a decline in international visitors to Darwin and Kakadu as more tourists opt for Katherine, Alice Springs and Uluru.
