BLOCKBUSTER exhibitions such as “Masterpieces from Paris”, “Renaissance” and “Handwritten” are responsible for boosting Canberra’s $1.3 billion tourism industry, according to a report by Tourism Research Australia.  

Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson released a report today on the impact major events and exhibitions have had on visitor numbers and perceptions of the Canberra region.

The report revealed that 65 per cent of tourists visit Canberra to see exhibitions, and that visitors to these exhibitions are spending an average of $314 per visit at Canberra’s attractions and businesses.

Almost “80 per cent of visitors surveyed” said they would recommend a visit to Canberra to friends and family, according to Mr Ferguson.

“The report suggests that concurrent scheduling of exhibitions and an annual schedule of
blockbuster exhibitions would further increase the tourism impact,” he said.

ACT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr says the Government will remain committed to its program of blockbuster events to the benefit of the ACT economy.

“The Government has provided $500,000 to support the National Gallery of Australia’s “ToulouseLautrec: Paris and the Moulin-Rouge” exhibition, a one-off event exclusive to Canberra that will run from 14 December 2012 to 2 April 2013,” he said.

“With one-in-five exhibition visitors having travelled to Canberra to visit friends and relatives,
Canberrans can play a vital role in bringing visitors to the ACT.”

The report can be found at http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/research/tra/Pages/default.aspx