BRENDAN Smyth is asking difficult questions about why the numbers for Canberra’s tourism industry are suffering a post-centenary hangover.
“The ACT has recorded a decline on key indicators while most of the rest of the country improved,” Brendan said.
“This is particularly concerning given the fact we’re coming off the Centenary Year. The government should explain and outline a solution.
The June 2014 Quarterly Results of the International Visitor Survey show:
Nationally: ACT:
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Visitor numbers are up 8% Visitor numbers are up 2%
Visitor nights are up 1% Visitor nights are down 12%
Total trip expenditure is up 7% Total trip expenditure is down 6%
These results are off the back of the March 2014 results of the National Visitor Survey where:
Nationally: ACT:
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Overnight trips were up 4% Overnight trips down 3%
Visitor nights were up 1% Visitor nights down 17%
Expenditure was up 4% Expenditure down 8%
“The government needs to explain why the ACT has declined, particularly off the back of the Centenary Year. Is this a Centenary Year hangover? Is it a lack of planning? If not, what is the reason? It is very disappointing,” Mr Smyth concluded.
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