Four exhibitions should boost ACT tourism this summer

The list of summer events for the territory has not been this lengthy in years.

It includes two blockbusters - Gold and the Incas: Lost Worlds of Peru at the National Gallery and the Mapping the World exhibition, opened by Crowe at the National Library this past week.

Deputy director of Australian Capital Tourism Jonathan Kobus agreed there was no strict definition for the term ''blockbuster'' but for Canberra it generally meant a show that could attract more than 100,000 visitors and was an ACT-only event.

Mr Kobus said Canberra was blessed with huge amounts of quality product, such as Parliament House, but visitors could come and see much of it at any time during the year. The trick was to hold events to attract people all year, including the difficult seasons of summer and winter.

The two blockbusters will be backed up by Elvis at 21 at the National Portrait Gallery and Old Masters: Australia's Great Bark Artists at the National Museum of Australia.

The Elvis exhibition focuses on photos by Alfred Wertheimer who was hired in 1956 to shoot promotional images of the young recording artist.

Wertheimer's instincts to tag along with the singer meant he captured some candid images.

The two key artists of Old Masters are Yirawala and Narritjin Maymuru, of western and eastern Arnhem Land respectively, who were identified for their innovation and lasting legacy.

One problem with the summer tourist season is that fewer people are invited to Canberra because many locals are holidaying out of the city - a crucial factor which boosted visitor numbers this year.

A 17 per cent jump in people travelling to the ACT to see friends and relatives was driven by Centenary celebrations.

Penny Lewer from territory tour company Big Foot Adventures said she would like to see more locals spending fewer weekends away and, instead, exploring their city.

* Gold and the Incas and the Old Masters exhibitions will open on December 6.

Elvis at 21 begins December 7.