However, it issued a warning that the most recent data could not be properly compared to those from prior years due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic's effects on travel.
DfE stated in its statistical report released that the 5.4 million includes both internal travel by NI citizens and 3.3 million overnight visits by foreign tourists to the country.
Forty percent of overnight visits and £0.3 billion of expenditure were made by domestic travelers, the remaining £0.9 billion was spent by foreign tourists.
According to DfE, the data showed how crucial domestic travel is to the sector.
The tourist Satellite Account for 2019 was released earlier this year by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra), which estimated the direct tourist industry's economic effect in Northern Ireland at £0.9 billion.
Overnight travel expenses include lodging at hotels, other businesses, and self-catering units.
In Northern Ireland, the percentage of hotel rooms occupied in 2023 was 64%, compared to 38% for guest homes, bed & breakfasts, and other types of guest accommodations.
Approximately 77% of the 5,845 tourism-related enterprises in Northern Ireland in 2023 were located outside of Belfast City Council.