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Tourist spending in Northern Ireland has increased by 5%, according to data from the Department for the Economy.

It has published statistics for the 12 months to June.

They show expenditure grew to £789m, but the total number of visitor trips fell by 3% to 4.5m.

However, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said the figures revealed that "visitors have, generally, been staying longer."

The data shows that external visitor markets - Great Britain and beyond - have been improving.

The weaker markets have been Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

But there is believed to have been a more recent surge in visits from across the border, a period not covered in the new data.

The pound's post-referendum slump is said to have boosted the tourism sector overall.

Hotel occupancy levels in August reached a record high.

"Tourism is an important sector for our economy," Mr Hamilton said.

"I intend to bring forward a new strategy later this year to work with the industry to build an internationally competitive and inspiring destination of which we are all proud."