Released 19/07/2018
The ACT welcomed a record number of international visitors for the year ending March 2018, with international visitors spending more time in the capital and spending more money.
This result demonstrates that the Government’s international engagement activities and efforts to attract direct flights is helping to grow our local tourism industry.
For the year ending March 2018, the number of international overnight visitors climbed to 248,428, a 15.8 per cent increase from the previous year, with the length of time they stayed jumping by a record 20.9 per cent to an average 22 days.
Singapore Airlines’ move to daily flights from May, as well as the commencement of Qatar Airways’ flights earlier this year is a signal of international confidence in Canberra.
The ACT Government is continuing to engage with new airlines, including Hong Kong Airlines, Air New Zealand and China Southern Airlines.
The survey shows that China remains Canberra’s largest source market at 18.4 per cent of international visitors followed by the United States of America (9.5 per cent), United Kingdom (8.9 per cent), New Zealand (7.1 per cent) and India (4.8 per cent).
The ACT Government continues to work towards its goal of growing the ACT’s overnight visitor expenditure to $2.5 billion by 2020, supporting our local tourism industry that employs over 16,000 Canberrans.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases