Gas boom tourism has taken a bow for the increase in business travellers lifting December quarter figures.

The build-up and wet seasons are traditionally quiet for Top End travel.

But accommodation takings in hotels, motels and serviced apartments with more than 15 rooms rose 7.4 per cent in the three months to December across the Territory according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

That was the highest increase in seasonally adjusted takings across the nation.

An artist's impression of the redeveloped AANT Building in Smith Street.

"This growth may be a result of the multi-billion dollar gas projects in the area," the ABS said.

Tourism NT chief executive Tony Mayell said the ABS comments were spot on.

"It's all around corporate traffic," he said.

"It's fair to say leisure tourism is pretty parlous and we're looking to turn that around so future room space can be taken by holiday visitors rather than corporate visitors."

Mr Mayell said they did appreciate the support the corporate market was giving to the economy.

"The Top End is getting the bulk of that growth," he said yesterday.

The Territory accommodation industry is undergoing a transformation.

Hilton is taking over the management of Berger Group hotels from the InterContinental Hotels Group, revamping a slew of Territory hotels including the Crowne Plazas and Holiday Inns.

The first new hotel in Darwin in about seven years will open its doors in May.

The Halikos Group's $100 million H Hotel replaces the old AANT building at 81 Smith St, Darwin, and will boast 186 rooms.

Source: NTNews.com.au, 3 April 2013