Growing tourism, trade and business
Making it cheaper and easier to fly into Canberra is a priority. Photo courtesy VisitCanberra
Budget funding will help build Canberra’s international business and trade connections and grow the city’s visitor economy.
This will continue to diversify the economy through the local tourism industry.
It will create more local jobs and make it easier for international visitors to come to Canberra.
More affordable air travel
One priority is making it easier and cheaper to fly into Canberra.
The Government will continue to invest in the Aviation Stimulus Fund to attract more direct domestic and international flights to and from the city.
Investments made through this fund in 2023 gave the ACT economy a significant boost.
Driving growth in international markets
The Government is committed to bringing more leisure visitors to Canberra.
Enhanced marketing, trade links and continued representation in Singapore, South-east Asia and India will help facilitate this.
The United States is currently the ACT’s strongest international visitor market. This makes it a key growth market for many Canberra businesses.
Building on last year’s trade mission, Budget investment will target in-market activity to provide growth opportunities in the US for the ACT’s tourism, trade and business sectors.
Funding will also help promote Canberra tourism in China.
The 2024–25 Budget will support the many Canberra‑based businesses with existing connections to these international markets, as well as those first entering them.
Quality events in Canberra
Canberra continues to attract quality international events.
Budget funding will bring the British and Irish Lions Tour to Canberra on 9 July 2025, to play the ACT Brumbies.
The British and Irish Lions Tour is the biggest rugby event outside of the Rugby World Cup.
Improved signage
Funding will improve signage around Canberra, including:
- in ACT’s parks and nature reserves – a key drawcard for tourism
- entrance signage along the Barton Highway – to improve the experience for those arriving in Canberra
- wayfinding and other signage for major events like Floriade and the Enlighten Festival.
Recognising Canberra
The ACT Government will continue to sponsor the Canberra Region Tourism Awards.
These allow the local tourism sector to be recognised nationally and elevate Canberra as a tourist destination.
The Brand Canberra program will also be supported to continue promoting the city as a great place to live work and study.
All these initiatives will continue to build Canberra’s profile as a tourism, trade and business destination.
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