Bringing more tourists to Canberra
The 2013-14 ACT budget will deliver $11.5 million in new funding to support the Territory’s tourism sector, which is a vital component of our local economy, minister for tourism and events Andrew Barr said.
Tourism contributes about $1.3 billion to the ACT economy each year, employs more than 15,000 Canberrans, and bringing more people to Canberra will be a key driver of economic growth in the future. The Gallagher government is continuing to invest strategically in this important sector in order to boost the number of people coming to Canberra for business and leisure and to encourage visitors to stay longer.
These initiatives will bring the total spend for tourism and events in 2013-14 to $27.3 million.
More funding for the tourism sector:
- International Tourism Marketing Campaign – Phase One (New Zealand and Singapore) Funding of $500,000 to help attract direct international flights to Canberra. This funding will support a new international marketing campaign to complement new direct international flights when they begin by promoting Canberra as a tourism and leisure destination. Direct flights to New Zealand are being considered by airlines, while a business case for flights to Singapore is being prepared.
- Canberra Convention Bureau’s budget includes $4.4 million over four years to attract increased business tourism to the territory. This commitment includes an extra $400,000 over two years to promote Canberra as a premier business events destination. In addition, Australian Capital Tourism will enter into a new four-year agreement with the Canberra Convention Bureau worth $4 million over four years.
- Tourism Events Fund: Funding of $2 million over two years will be provided to extend this highly successful fund, which supports major events and exhibitions that attract a significant number of visitors from interstate. Exhibitions that have previously received funding have contributed more than $100 million to the ACT economy.
- Enlighten Festival – $3.6 million in funding to support the continuation and expansion of Enlighten as a signature event for Canberra.
- National Capital Educational Tourism Project: Funding of $300,000 over three years will support Canberra’s push to be the premier educational tourism destination in the country. The funding will enable more school visits to our capital and our world-class national attractions. New digital platforms and even better engagement with teachers and schools across the country will be supported through this extra funding.
- Horsefest: Funding of $100,000 for the development of the Horsefest 2014 event, which will include horse competitions and demonstrations for the equestrian sector.
- Events Assistance Program: $200,000 over four years to support existing and new local events that can demonstrate measurable economic benefits by attracting more visitors the ACT.
- Upgrades for EPIC: $420,000 will provided to Exhibition Park in Canberra for upgraded camping and car parking facilities.
