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2007 a great year for tourism A RECORD breaking Floriade, the revitalisation of the "See Yourself" tourism campaign, total domestic overnight visitation increasing by 3.5 per cent and total visitor expenditure increasing by 3.1 per cent all add up to a successful year for tourism in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).The ACT's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr said 2007 saw Tiger Airways announcing flights into Canberra, and Virgin Blue back on the Canberra-Sydney route, the Convention Centre re-opening after a $30 million upgrade, and the ACT Government committing funding to attracting more business tourism to Canberra, as well as to developing airline partnerships and redeveloping the tourism website. "This year we have seen the best ever Floriade. The theme Aussie icons, myths and legends helped entice the largest ever number of visitors through the turnstiles at Floriade - which we expect to be about 395,000 visitors. Exciting plans for next year's 21st celebrations are already underway," he said. "The latest National Visitor Survey results from Tourism Research Australia show for the year ending September 2007, the ACT welcomed 1,952,000 domestic visitors. This represents an increase of 3.5 per cent when compared to the year ending 2006, exceeding the national average of 3.1 per cent. "I am also delighted that the number of visitor nights in the ACT increased by 6.7 per cent. Again this compares favourably to the 3.8 per cent increase nationally for the year ending September 2007. For the ACT this translates to 5.86 million visitor nights, up from 5.49 million for the year ending September 2006. "Last year, I had the great pleasure of attending the Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards in our new, beautifully renovated National Convention Centre. That was $30 million very well spent and is a great asset for the Territory in attracting business tourism to Canberra. "The government has provided additional funding for the Canberra Convention Bureau investing $800,000 in the bureau; the investment will rise to $1 million per year in 2009-10. "We have also, this year, found new ways to market ourselves, with the revitalisation of the "See Yourself" brand creative aimed at stimulating demand for tourism in the region. "It demonstrates the breadth of tourism experiences that we have to offer and also takes the opportunity to challenge some of the negative perceptions and stereotypes of our city." Mr Barr said the ACT Government is committed to enhancing the range of tourism experiences on offer in Canberra and the region. "Through significant funding for initiatives such as Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Stromlo Forest Park, we are building on this diversity of tourism experiences on offer in the ACT and region," he said. "It is essential that we maintain a vibrant and responsive approach to the changing needs of tourists. The ACT Government is investing $400,000 over the next three years in upgrading the visitcanberra.com.au website. "That site attracted more than 850,000 visits last year, up 26 per cent. The Government is also investing $225,000 over three years in the development of a five-year event attraction strategy. "We are also investing $320,000 over three years to enhance cooperative marketing activity with the airlines and travel industry partners. "I would like to particularly put on the record our welcoming of the additional flights from Qantas into the city; Virgin Blue back on the Canberra-Sydney route; and the addition of Tiger Airways flying into the ACT-all great news for our tourism industry. "All these initiatives and funding bode for a prosperous and exciting time ahead for the tourism industry in the ACT and region." |
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