Crocodiles and oil prices: Northern Territory tourism as the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for global tourism

Abstract

This paper addresses the unique position of destinations such as Australia and New Zealand, which are almost wholly reliant on air transport. These destinations are not only lengthy distances away from their primary overseas markets, but are separated by sea. The Northern Territory (NT) in Australia, which provides a context for this paper, is a remote long haul destination for both its international markets and also its domestic market. The paper discusses what we believe are some early indications of the way in which forecast future rises in global oil prices and transport fares may influence mobility. It argues that the problems being experienced in the NT, through declining tourist numbers foreshadow the problems that other places will face in the future.