TTF says visits from mainland China, the territory's largest inbound market, Taiwan and Singapore fell by 1.5 per cent, in contrast with 7.6 per cent growth across Australia. The high yielding nature of these visitors, who each spend on average $2000, or more than three times domestic overnight visitors, make them an attractive target, according to the budget submission.
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TTF backs a proposed new walking trail along Black Mountain Nature Reserve, linking the Australian National Botanic Gardens with the National Arboretum.
The $285,000 trail is included in the Botanic Gardens masterplan for 2015-2035, and a proposal for joint Commonwealth-ACT funding. The Botanic Gardens has committed to half the money, and TTF wants the ACT to allocate the other half in the 2016-17 budget.
The tourism lobby says funding for Territory Venues and Events should rise by 10 per cent over the forward estimates, and points to the success of Enlighten 2015 as a driver of economic activity. Enlighten attracted 287,874 people and generated $3.35 million direct visitor expenditure, an increase of 45 per cent on the previous year.
Ms Osmond said,
