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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 8 Hansard (9 August) . . Page.. 2695 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

cent, or 34,441 attendances, came from interstate, compared with 30 per cent, or 32,700 attendances, at last year's GMC400. This estimate comes from independent research by Taylor Nelson Sofres last year and the Centre for Tourism Research this year, essentially using the same methodology. The largest interstate markets for the GMC400 in 2001 were regional New South Wales, followed by Sydney, then Victoria. The attendance figures again showed that Canberra can draw substantial numbers to a major tourism event.

Mr Moore: Even though it was raining.

MR SMYTH: Even though it was raining, as Mr Moore points out. Turning to ticket sales, at this year's GMC400 people could buy four different passes: one-day or three-day tickets for either grandstand or general admission viewing, V8 paddock passes or corporate attendance. As for all outdoor events, the gate can vary from year to year according to factors such as the weather.

Sales for the one-day tickets were 26,977 this year, against 46,182 last year. For three-day tickets they were 12,105 this year, against 12,358 last year. The total for this year was 39,082, against 58,540 last year. A decrease in the Saturday attendance and a drop of over 6,000 in V8 paddock passes contributed to the reduction in ticket sales. Other factors were changes in the one-day ticket and paddock pass prices and, of course, the option of watching the event live on television. Unlike last year's GMC400, we will all recall that Canberra had several days of rain before and during the event this year. Support races on the Sunday program were delayed because of the onset of a fog that did not lift until 11 am. Spectator arrivals and walk-up ticket sales were quiet until the fog dispersed.

The GMC400 again contributed to the high occupancy levels in our accommodation sector over the June long weekend, a weekend that is traditionally very weak. According to the Canberra Visitors Centre, which makes local accommodation bookings, there was limited accommodation remaining for people over the June long weekend. The Centre for Tourism Research's evaluation found that 47.6 per cent of overnight visitors to Canberra who attended the event stayed in commercial accommodation, including hotels, motels, serviced apartments and caravan parks.

The visitors to the GMC400 also patronised restaurants, bars, cafes and attractions while in Canberra. The report from the Centre for Tourism Research shows that visitors undertook a mix of activities. For instance, 8.4 per cent of spectators visited Parliament House; 13.8 per cent of visitors attended cultural attractions such as museums and galleries; 3 per cent visited nature-based attractions; 40.7 per cent visited nightclubs or bars; 44.3 per cent visited restaurants; and 22.2 per cent undertook other activities in Canberra. Members should note that the figures exceed 100 per cent as the people surveyed took part in a combination of activities whilst they were here.

The Canberra Times of Tuesday, 6 June, reported in a similar way, saying, "High visitor numbers have thrilled Canberra's tourist attraction operators, with the National Gallery and Old Parliament House claiming the GMC400 car race helped boost attendances." A combination of the GMC400 and the closing days of the Monet and Japan exhibition at the National Gallery made a very positive impact on the tourism sector over the June long weekend.

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