Page 3065 - Week 09 - Thursday, 21 September 2006
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declining domestic tourism. In the domestic market, the ACT was the only state or territory to record an increase in overnight visitors for the year ending December 2005 compared to December 2004. The six per cent growth that we achieved was particularly impressive in the context of a national decline of six per cent for the same period.
The latest national visitors survey results from Tourism Research Australia show that for the year ending March 2006 domestic overnight visitation to the ACT increased by 0.7 per cent, whereas visitation across Australia declined by about 6.5 per cent. Whilst the ACT only recorded a slight increase in domestic overnight visitation, it was a solid achievement when you consider that visitation declined nationally by nearly seven per cent in the year to March 2006. It is worth noting that our overall market share of the domestic overnight visitors market has increased from 2.6 to 2.8 per cent.
The latest international visitation figures of Tourism Research Australia show that the ACT’s market share of international visitors was 3.1 per cent in the year ended June 2006, similar to that of 2005 but, importantly, the average length of stay by international visitors had increased to 3.8 days in the year ended June 2006, compared with 2.5 days in the year ended June 2005. Obviously, this increase in yield provides our economy with a greater dividend.
Perhaps the most pleasing part of the results was the 84 per cent increase in visitors to the ACT from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand, markets that we have been specifically targeting. Mr Smyth made some comments in relation to the ACT’s total tourism spend. It is to be $16.1 million this year. We acknowledge that it is an investment worth making, but we do need to ensure that the money is being spent in the right areas.
Whilst government funding for tourism has been reduced in line with overall ACT budget changes, many of the programs initiated or supported by the government directly through Australian Capital Tourism over the last two or three years will continue. Particularly on the marketing point, the ACT government will be investing $3.1 million this year in marketing the national capital. That is equal to the amount spent at the heights of marketing the city during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Research reminds us that visitors are looking for new experiences when they consider holiday or short-break choices. The government is investing substantial amounts in a number of projects that have direct relationships with tourism, such as the Tidbinbilla nature discovery centre which will be opening in early 2008 and the Stromlo forest park, which includes things such as a grass running track designed by Rob de Castella and a cycling criterium circuit designed by Stephen Hodge.
Stromlo park will officially open in December this year with the Brindabella Challenge. I look forward to launching the Canberra tracks project at the end of October, which will deliver three self-drive itineraries within the ACT focusing on our heritage. There is also the $11 million towards creating a world class glassworks at the old powerhouse in Kingston, the $30 million upgrade to the convention centre and all of the work that is going on in upgrading our national tourism attractions, and I thank the commonwealth government for their contribution to that.
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