Page 49 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 February 2016
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this announcement, which is most unusual. From industry leaders, business groups, regional leaders, national tourism and export bodies, all agree this is a game changer for Canberra and for our broader region. The Canberra Business Chamber said:
Flights will make our businesses more competitive and help them win new customers.
In addition to the economic benefits there are clear social benefits for Canberra and the region. There will be significant time savings and convenience benefits for travel to Wellington, Singapore and beyond. There are obvious benefits for our tourism sector and our visitor economy which will extend further as we develop new links and relationships for trade, investment, international student travel, business and regional freight activity.
The business community, the education sector, the visitor economy and regional authorities have clearly indicated that direct international air services have been a key priority for their constituents, and this priority has been delivered by my government and we will continue to work to build on this significant announcement to make sure that all in our community can benefit from these significant game-changing elements of this new service for Canberra.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: Can the Chief Minister explain how the direct international flights will help Canberra achieve the tourism 2020 strategy?
MR BARR: Thank you, Ms Burch, for the question. The 2020 tourism strategy was launched in 2013 with a goal of growing overnight visitor expenditure into the territory to $2.5 billion by 2020. The latest tourism satellite accounts were released on 24 April 2015. The value of tourism in the ACT economy in 2013-14 was $1.6 billion and the sector is employing just under 15,000 people.
The areas of focus that will assist in realising the ACT’s tourism 2020 potential include: investment in destination marketing activities that encourage domestic and international travellers to come here; growing the digital capability of the tourism industry; new product and experience development; investment, support and leveraging key drivers of the visitor economy, including major events, business events and education tourism; creating the right business environment by encouraging investment, reducing regulatory burdens and addressing labour and skills shortages—all key priorities for my government.
And, of course, there are direct international flights. For the next four years, the visitor economy has the opportunity now to grow significantly as a result of the ACT government’s work, the work of Canberra Airport and the announcement of Singapore Airlines. This is the most significant economic development boost that this city has had in decades, and I am delighted that my government has been able to help make it possible.
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