Page 4273 - Week 14 - Thursday, 24 October 1991
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the legal firm Macphillamy, Cummins and Gibson. These appointments are consistent with the Government's desire to consolidate ACT tourism and to link the development of tourism to the economic development of the ACT and its surrounding region.
Mr Speaker, I met with the newly constituted commission last Wednesday evening, prior to its first meeting. I challenged the commission to bring together the diverse sectors of the industry and to initiate a program of activity which will enhance the development of tourism.
Finally, two local firms were successful in achieving national awards. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the proprietors of Cockington Green and Avalanche Homestead for their success in the 1991 awards. I am sure that all members will join me in congratulating them and encouraging the rest of the tourism industry in the ACT to be just as successful in 1992.
Mr Speaker, I believe that a new spirit of cooperation is evolving between the industry and the Government. An example is the recent agreement between the commission, the Australian National Gallery, the National Science and Technology Centre and the major hotels to run a joint promotion. The aim is to encourage Sydney families to visit Canberra and enjoy the Rupert Bunny exhibition at the gallery and the dinosaurs exhibition at the Science and Technology Centre. I expect that we will see the commission involved in many more such ventures.
A further example of this cooperation is the initiative taken by the Canberra Association for Regional Development with its inspired "Beyond the Triangle" promotion last week. Members may be aware that CARD brought a range of national journalists together to meet a cross-section of Canberrans, demonstrating that there is much more to our city than just the Federal Government and the public service. Private sector initiatives such as these augur well for the future of the Territory, and I congratulate the organisers.
The program of multicultural tourism to Canberra by ethnic groups has also proved a major success. These visits have been organised in conjunction with the Ethnic Communities Council and are unique to the Canberra tourism industry. Members will be interested to know that well in excess of 6,000 people will visit Canberra this year under this program.
Mr Speaker, I mentioned earlier that the ACT has been successful in its bid to host the 1992 National Tourism Awards. I believe that this major event next spring will bring substantial benefits to the people of Canberra. The awards will focus the attention of key players in tourism, both national and international, on our city.
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