The University of Canberra (UC) has launched new research into school excursions in Canberra, which shows teachers visiting the ACT see Canberra as a โpre-eminent school excursion destination in Australiaโ.
UCโs Dr Naomi Dale said, overall, there has been an increase in the number of visitors to Canberra since data collection began in 1997, with teachers highlighting the ACTโs positive attributes.
โThe majority of Canberraโs interstate visitors come from NSW (50.1%), followed by Victoria (18.5%) and then South Australia (12.6%). We are finding quite high regional and rural numbers as well, with 30% of those visitors from these areas,โ she said.
โTeachers were highlighting positive links to the curriculum in the areas of civics and citizenship, Australian history and science and technology.
โThey were also including art and culture, Indigenous culture and history, and health and sport as strengths for Canberra.โ
Dr Daleโs research involved collecting data from Canberraโs national institutions and attractions, as well as through discussions with teachers and coach drivers.
She said the benefits of school excursions might โbe more than expectedโ, particularly for the local economy.
โI think people initially think with children visiting, they are bringing $10 pocket money and thatโs the only impact; but financially we are finding the contribution to gross state product is really high because of the accommodation and the programs and obviously the transport,โ she said.
For more:
