BRINGING new meaning to the term banana hammock, swimwear company aussieBum has developed the world's first briefs made from banana plants.

THE tourism industry took a $194 million hit last year with international visitors to the Far North falling by 106,000 to 651,000.

INTERNATIONAL visitors to the Far North fell by 106,000 last year with their spending plunging by nearly $200 million to $813 million.