Page 2015 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 June 1993
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I wish to comment now on a number of the committee's recommendations. Not surprisingly, the committee has called for an integrated tourism strategy for the ACT which incorporates regional factors and interdependence, to be undertaken by the Tourism Commission in consultation with the industry. I believe that it is essential that we look at the long-term needs of the industry, which is only now beginning to grow and flourish, and resist the temptation to specifically tax the industry, which is bringing the ACT ever increasing amounts of revenue. The 2020 study will, I am sure, address some tourism issues. However, a fully integrated strategy for the future, identifying particular landmarks such as the centenary of Federation in 2001, is an important task yet to be undertaken.
The committee noted that the Federal Government could do more to undertake necessary development and redevelopment of national areas, especially in the Parliamentary Triangle, as an investment in the national capital and our future as a city of distinction. A number of comments and recommendations have been made about signage to achieve consistency throughout the region and increased legibility, particularly through the use of international pictorial signage. A planned and coordinated approach to the provision of signage which will yield very positive results should be easy to achieve.
The committee has also commented extensively on important transport linkages between Canberra and the region, including the significance of direct international flights for Canberra Airport, to which Mr Lamont has referred, and road and rail links. A future Canberra will need permanent customs and immigration services at a Canberra Airport which is a major passenger and freight gateway to the region. Upgrading of the Federal Highway, the Kings Highway and the Canberra-Tumut road also has been called for.
Our potential for expanding tourism further is significant. The committee has identified that national institutions and attractions should adopt opening hours which are more visitor friendly and relevant to community needs, especially during the summer months, when there are more daylight hours available to people to undertake a range of activities, from viewing touring exhibitions at the National Gallery to strolling through the National Botanic Gardens. The establishment of an events calendar is recommended, which would feature major events in the region, from arts through to sporting events. A range of more specialised events calendars aimed at particular target groups and niche markets would also be a useful addition to the material available to promote the ACT and region.
Special mention is made of ecotourism and the significant impact it could make on tourism in the ACT. Consideration also needs to be given now to the impact on the environment of such tourism. The coordination of events should involve the region, and I am especially keen to see any development of a winter festival occur in conjunction with tourism operators in the Snowy Mountains. Such coordination would enable the ACT to participate in the development of a festival, perhaps based in the Snowy Mountains, rather than to coordinate it, as we tend to take on the coordinating role in most instances. The attraction to the ACT of particular niche groups with special interests will, I am sure, be an increasing tourism phenomenon. The importance of involving our local ethnic communities with visits by people from overseas could be encouraged much more extensively, in my belief.
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