The ACT will send a trade delegation to Mumbai, Delhi and Singapore, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced today. It will focus on tourism, aviation, education, sustainability and transport.
The delegation will spend four days in India – the second biggest inbound market for international visitors to Canberra, accounting for 20,000 visitors in the year ending September 2023. India is the strongest international market to rebound from pre-COVID levels at 121 per cent
In Mumbai, the delegation, accompanied by the Canberra Convention Bureau, will meet tourism industry partners and Tourism Australia representatives to promote Canberra as a destination for tourism or conferences and business events. The delegation will also meet Air India representatives to discuss direct flights.
India is the ACT’s second largest international student market. To further promote Canberra as a study destination, Professor Lucy Johnson, Interim Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra, senior representatives from UNSW, the Australian National University, the Australian Catholic University, and the Canberra Institute of Technology will meet industry stakeholders, including IDP Education – the world’s largest overseas student placement company.
Cricket ACT will join the delegation to promote Canberra in the world’s biggest cricket market.
The ACT has one of its most active international relationships with Singapore. The delegation will spend two-and-a-half days there.
Aviation and tourism are again a focus in Singapore. Trade engagement events and the promotion of Canberra’s business events market are also on the agenda.
Accompanied by representatives from Canberra Airport, the delegation will meet Singapore Airlines representatives to discuss re-establishing direct flights. This depends on growth in three large source markets: India, China, and Europe. Visit Canberra is working closely with Tourism Australia and industry partners to achieve this.
A number of ACT export businesses will also travel with the delegation.
The cost of the delegation, including two accompanying staff to India and one to Singapore, is approximately $30,000. This is met from the ACT Executive 2023-24 budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular travel reports.
