A discount tourism scheme for the Top End has opened for bookings, with up to 25 per cent savings available, the Tourism Minister said.

Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the second phase of the tourism discount scheme was broken into two regions, the Top End and Central Australia, with different qualifying travel periods.

Bookings opened on Tuesday in the Top End for eligible travel undertaken from January 1 to March 31.

In Central Australia, bookings opened on September 1 for travel undertaken between October 1 and March 31.

The discount will be automatically applied to the sale of products up to a value of $5,000.

Retail items and gift certificates are excluded from the scheme.

Territorians are entitled to a discount on as many trips as they wish to book during the eligible periods.

Bookings must be made through visitor information centres in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Yulara.

“We are extending the Territory tourism discount scheme from two months to six months, and I encourage Territorians to plan ahead by making early bookings,” Ms Boothby said.

“Our tourism industry works incredibly hard, and this is a great way we can support them to get locals and visitors alike back out enjoying the Territory we know and love.

“Under eight years of Labor, we know costs increased for tourism businesses.

“That’s why we will back our tourism businesses by extending this scheme, and we have committed to abolishing payroll tax for small businesses,” she said.