Canberra is a destination of choice, according to the latest national and international visitor survey data, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
In the 12 months up to March, 5.57 million people visited Canberra, and the ACT experienced the highest growth in domestic overnight visitation, overnight stays, and expenditure of all Australian states and territories.
Canberra also recorded its highest ever visitor expenditure of $3.33 billion in a 12-month period, surpassing the record annual high reached for year ending December 2022 by $300 million.
Mr Barr said this demonstrates the ACT is on track to reach its target of $4 billion in expenditure by 2030, under T2030: ACT Tourism Strategy 2023-2030.
- ACT will grow tourism economy to $4 billion by 2030 (4 December 2022)
Of the 5.57 million visitors, 5.4 million were domestic visitors, and 130,000 came from overseas.
International visitation will also increase when Fiji Airways start their direct service from Canberra this month. Mr Barr predicts this will open up the North American market.
Compared with December 2019 (pre-pandemic), the data show that the domestic leisure and visiting friends and relatives market is fully recovered, Mr Barr said. While the number of visitors coming for business is lower, their expenditure is higher.
The Government will continue to invest in initiatives that attract visitors and improve Canberra’s destination appeal, Mr Barr said. This includes investing in the Aviation Stimulus Fund to attract more direct domestic and international flights to and from Canberra; extending the Tourism Product Development Fund for another year; and supporting year-round destination marketing.
- ACT Budget: Events and tourism (26 June)
