LIBERAL spokesperson for tourism, Brendan Smyth has called on Tourism Minister Andrew Barr to commit to programs aimed at lifting tourist numbers.

Mr Smyth says according to Tourism Research Australia, the number of tourists to the ACT has dropped 16 per cent between 2003-04 and 2010-11.

“In 2003-04, the total number of visitors to the ACT was 4,013,000, compared to a total of 3,374,000 visitors in 2010-11, showing a substantial decline of around 640,000 people,” he said.

“ACT tourist numbers have dropped across the board, in all three categories of day visitors, overnight visitors and international visitors.”

However Barr says the figures are impacted by global economic movements, including the Global Financial Crisis.

“Brendan Smyth must have been living in a cave for the last four or five years if he hasn’t noticed the entire Australian tourism industry is suffering as of the result of a high Australian dollar,” he said.

He said a shift in investment into areas including mining has impacted on the tourism industry and consumer behaviour.

“Where the ACT has been able to influence tourism outcomes has been through the support of major block buster events and you see that in the data, quarter by quarter,” he said.