9 Jan 2012

Uluru and Kakadu visitors down 9% last year

6:12 am on 9 January 2012

Visitor numbers at two of Australia's most famous landmarks were down last year.

Statistics from Parks Australia show visitors to Uluru and Kakadu declined by about 9% in 2011.

About 273,000 people visited Uluru and about 160,000 went to Kakadu.

Kakadu tourism operator Genda Campbell says business has never been so tough.

"There was probably an 80% drop in inquiries on the internet on our website and on the phone through agents both in the Northern Territory and interstate as well," he said.

Mr Campbell said the high Australian dollar and economic problems overseas were to blame for the downturn.

"When people have got money, they travel, when they don't, they don't," he said.

Tourism Central Australia said visitor numbers have been declining all around Australia, but the ABC reports the agency was confident things will improve.