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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 5316 ..

2. How does this figure compare for the same period in the previous financial year

3. What is the estimated number of day visitors to Canberra for World Cup Rugby

4. What is the estimated number of overnight visitors to Canberra for the period of World Cup Rugby events in the ACT

5. How many participants from interstate competed in the Australian Masters Games in Canberra this year

6. How much hotel 'occupancy' was available during the period of Floriade, World Cup Rugby and the Masters Games in Canberra

7. Have any estimate figures been provided to the Minister detailing economic benefits of:

- Floriade 2003

- World Cup Rugby games in Canberra

- Australian Masters Games 2003.

Mr Quinlan

: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

1. Visitors to the Canberra Region Visitors Centre (CRVC) from July 2003 to 19 November 2003 - 121,699

2. Visitors to the CRVC from 1 July 2002 to 19 November 2002 - 126,445


There is a reduction of 4746 visitors (4%) in the current financial year compared to the previous year.


Although the impetus for a high level of visitation was maintained during this period in 2003, due to an unprecedented line up of major events including Floriade, Rugby World Cup 2003 and Healthpact 9th Australian Masters Games, the CRVC visitor numbers do not reflect increased visitation for many reasons including:

the dispersal of visitors from the CRVC to alternative visitor information points at the Jolimont Centre, Canberra Centre, the Canberra International Airport and the railway station in Kingston where door count mechanisms are not feasible.

the provision of additional visitor information outlets at Floriade and Canberra Stadium.

a proportion of visitors for the Rugby World Cup, Floriade and the Masters Games arriving in tour groups with pre-arranged accommodation and the provision of tourism information by Australian Capital Tourism.

the provision of visitor information through the distribution of 16,000 spring brochures to the accommodation industry.

repeat visitors arriving in Canberra not needing to use CRVC facilities, and

visiting friends and relatives arriving direct to their destinations.

Whilst the CRVC provides a good barometer to gauge visitor numbers to Canberra, a more accurate gauge of visitor numbers would be available from visitor statistics published by the National and International Visitor Surveys conducted by the Bureau of Tourism Research (BTR) and through hotel occupancy levels. (The answer to question 5 shows an increase in hotel occupancy levels during this period). The BTR figures will be available 6-8 weeks after the end of each quarter.

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