Page 3657 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 16 October 1990
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I am, however, extremely encouraged by some recent indicators which we have received. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics preliminary statistics for the June quarter show an increase of almost 15 per cent in room nights sold in 1990 compared with the same quarter in 1989. This has led to an increase in occupancy rates, but most importantly an increase in revenue gained by the industry. This increase in revenue has been most dramatic since the March 1990 quarter, showing a 19.3 per cent increase. I am further encouraged by more recent statistics from the ACT Tourism Commission which show that September quarter sales have increased by a whopping 48 per cent compared with the previous corresponding quarter last year.
There is no doubt that the Government's efforts in staging Floriade have had a dramatic impact on those figures. There is no doubt also that a number of factors have led to this turnaround. Among the most significant have been the results achieved by the marketing efforts of the new ACT Tourism Commission. The commission, under the leadership of an experienced private sector oriented board, has put in place marketing strategies which are beginning to take effect. I think this needs to be applauded by all throughout the industry and all in this Assembly.
So I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the commission on winning an award of distinction for tourism marketing at the national tourism awards held in Melbourne last Friday night. I should also like to congratulate the other winners from the ACT - the Oak Room of the Hyatt Hotel, Parliament House, Hire-a-Guide, which won a major award, Monarch Tours and the Airport International Hotel at Queanbeyan. The ACT, in proportion to the number of awards that were presented throughout the industry, did very well indeed, and I think it augurs well for the future of the tourism industry here. I can see, of course, that people on the other side are not interested, but it is very important. It should be pointed out that it is the largest private industry sector in the ACT.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that, while we have seen some positive signs of recovery, there is a long way to go before the tourism industry reaches its full potential. This will occur only with continued cooperation between all sectors of the industry and the ACT Tourism Commission, and, of course, a bipartisan pro-Canberra approach from all members of this Assembly - something which, as indicated earlier today by the churlish comments from Mr Berry, the people on the other side do not want to see take place.
When are they going to stop complaining, start putting their shoulder to the wheel along with the people on this side, the people in the Government, and do some hard work for the Territory instead of simply criticising and carping, and never making any positive contribution to the people or the economy of the Territory? I think the attitude of the people opposite is absolutely atrocious.
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