The ACT’s tourism economy rebounded last year, according to the National Visitor Survey and International Visitor Survey released today by Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
Visitor expenditure for 2022 increased 144 per cent to $3.03 billion – the highest ever visitor expenditure in a twelve-month period in Canberra.
In 2022, the ACT welcomed 5.33 million domestic and international visitors, up 71 per cent on 2021 (the year Canberra was locked down for three months due to the pandemic).
Total visitor numbers recovered to 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels, and expenditure surpassed pre-COVID levels, at 107 per cent of 2019 expenditure.
The ACT recorded 3.03 million domestic overnight visitors in 2022. While all states and territories recorded domestic overnight visitor growth last year, the ACT experienced the strongest growth at 75 per cent. This was nearly 30 points more than the second highest, Victoria, with 46 per cent.
Most domestic visitors came from New South Wales: two-thirds of overnight visitors, and three-quarters of day trip visitors to the ACT.
Overnight visits from all states and territories increased in 2022. The biggest increase came from south-east Queensland (Brisbane and the Gold Coast).
Chief Minister Andrew Barr attributed this to Jetstar launching routes between Canberra and Brisbane in December 2021 and the Gold Coast in September 2022.
- Jetstar launches new route between CBR and Gold Coast (16 September 2022)
- New Jetstar services from Canberra to Melbourne and Gold Coast (9 May 2022)
- Jetstar to fly Canberra to Brisbane from September (10 June 2021)
“These results are a testament to the success of our cooperative marketing, aviation development program and tourism strategies post-COVID, and highlights the strength and growing appreciation for Canberra’s quality tourism offering,” Mr Barr said.
“With amazing attractions and experiences, including the National Zoo and Aquarium and Jamala Wildlife Lodge which recently picked up major awards at the Australian Tourism Awards, more people than ever before are putting Canberra on their short break list.”
Mr Barr said the ACT was on track to exceed its target of $3.1 billion in visitor expenditure by the end of 2025, an interim goal in the T2030: ACT Tourism Strategy 2023-2030 released late last year.
- ACT will grow tourism economy to $4 billion by 2030 (4 December 2022)
