Page 4356 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the increase in the total visitor numbers has been around 10 per cent. What that means is that in the year to March 1994 there was a total of 1.7 million visitors. As members will be aware - - -
Mr Humphries: That was last year.
MS FOLLETT: It is not attractive, having members yelling at each other across the chamber. It is not dignified. Just let me answer.
Madam Speaker, I believe that members would be aware that the beneficial effect of any increase in visitor numbers is felt first and foremost in the accommodation industry, as you see a rise in the occupancy rates. I am very pleased to be able to advise members that the upward trend in visitor numbers is reflected in some of the more recent information that we have. That shows that, in the September quarter of 1994, the room occupancy rate was 66 per cent, which compares with 62.2 per cent for the September quarter of 1993. So, there is a substantial increase there. In fact, it was the highest ever occupancy rate for a September quarter. The increase in the occupancy rate, needless to say, resulted in increased takings as well from the accommodation. The takings jumped, again to an all-time high, to $18.8m. That is an increase of $2.2m over the September quarter of 1993.
Madam Speaker, winter is generally a slow period for accommodation in the Territory. I believe that those figures are all the more encouraging because they show that you can have a substantial increase even in our traditionally slow quarter. I think they reflect the success of the tourism industry itself and of the Canberra Tourism Commission in their promotional activities. But underlying those statistics is the important fact that tourism is a major employer. When we see increased tourism activity - increases in visitor numbers and occupancy rates - it means that we have increases in employment as well.
While I am on the general subject of statistics, Madam Speaker, I will just briefly mention, as I have been brief, that the building industry has also shown a quite remarkable resilience and strength, according to the most recent statistics available. They show, for the month of October, an increase overall of 23.9 per cent in the building approval figures for the ACT. That is the overall figure. In residential approvals, there was an increase of 49.1 per cent during October. I believe that those kinds of figures show that there is considerable confidence in the ACT's economy, and these figures are particularly important for employment growth.
Madam Speaker, with particular reference to those building figures, as I am sure that members know, you have to be a bit cautious with month-to-month figures; but, despite the record highs in building approvals that we have seen in previous years and despite the expected and recent increases in mortgage interest rates, I think that that kind of activity is a very good sign indeed. I am very grateful to members opposite for at least having heard me out with some decorum, for once.
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