We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples and the Traditional Custodians of Ngunnawal Country, the land on which we meet today. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and also recognise any other people or families with connection to the ACT and Region.
Professor Emma Sparks, Rector, University of New South Wales, Canberra Campus on the development of the University’s new education precinct in the heart of the city
Emma provided an update on the development of the new UNSW Canberra City campus. Located on Constitution Avenue, the eight-hectare campus is being delivered in stages, with the first two buildings scheduled to open in 2028. The site is already active hosting students, researchers, industry partners and events while construction progresses.
Designed to strengthen Canberra’s position as a knowledge and innovation capital, the campus will bring together academia, industry and government to collaborate on real-world challenges.
Canberra’s strong innovation credentials underpin the project. Almost 48% of ACT businesses are innovation-active, the highest rate in Australia, and the region has the nation’s most patent-intensive business base.
Located within the National Security Corridor linking the CBD, Russell and the airport, the campus is expected to become a significant knowledge precinct, attracting conferences, events and visiting professionals.
Alongside undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as cyber security, project management and public policy, the campus will deliver a growing suite of short courses supporting lifelong learning and workforce development.
With around 30 companies already co-located with UNSW, this new city campus will further strengthen Canberra’s reputation as a knowledge capital, creating opportunities for business events, international students and industry collaboration.
Emma encouraged industry to reach out and engage through research partnerships, student collaboration, events and precinct activation.
Mic Longhurst, Owner and founder, Dynamic Motivation; Richard Everson, General Manager, Destination Southern; and Martin Wisata, Managing Director, Rocky Trail Entertainment
Dr David Marshall AM chaired a discussion with Richard, Martin, and Mic on the massive expansion of mountain biking trails across Canberra Region and Great Southern Trails network, which features 10 world-class trails trails across the area.
The panel highlighted the region’s significant investment, active local clubs, and a highly engaged market. With the national mountain biking sector generating $1.5 billion annually, the region is well positioned for strong growth.
Martin explained that the combination of rider enjoyment, sustainability, and supporting infrastructure makes an exceptional trail. He also noted how technological advancements, including E-bikes, are opening the market to families and mixed-skill groups, boosting participation and engagement.
"I’ve ridden a lot of trails all over the world and the trails here are second to none."
Mic spoke about Mount Stromlo’s resurgence, highlighting its accessible, well-maintained trails and facilities, and growing popularity, particularly among day trippers from Sydney. He noted that developing additional tracks will encourage longer stays, creating opportunities for accommodation and tourism operators.
Richard outlined the region’s competitive advantages: proximity to Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra; multiple world-class trails in close proximity; quality tourism infrastructure; and exceptional events that attract riders year-round. He emphasised the importance of maximising economic impact through complementary experiences, including guided tours, shuttles, food and beverage, and retail offerings.
Sustainability was a key theme. Richard highlighted the need to reduce reliance on local volunteers for trail maintenance, who currently carry a heavy load. He called for a model that balances supply and demand, engages government, attracts sponsors, and supports operators, ensuring the network remains sustainable as visitation grows.
The panel also discussed the potential to attract international visitors, noting the region offers a unique experience: trails ranging from mountains to coast, world-class airport and accommodation facilities, and encounters with iconic Australian wildlife in their natural habitats. Sea Otter Australia, part of a global series of events, provides a significant opportunity to raise the region’s profile internationally.
"95% of trail riders, you will see a kangaroo or wallaby. That doesn't happen anywhere else."
Martin, Mic, and Richard agreed there is every reason for optimism. With expanding trail networks, improved accessibility, a coordinated approach to sustainability, and targeted international marketing, the region is well positioned to become Australia’s premier mountain biking destination, offering significant opportunities for the tourism and hospitality sector to innovate, diversify, and grow.
James Goodwin, CEO, Accommodation Australia, on a snapshot of current accommodation occupancy rates nationally and the trends unfolding for 2026
James outlined the current priorities and outlook for the accommodation sector, emphasising that driving demand remains the industry’s most important lever. When rooms are filled and businesses are profitable, many other challenges, from innovation to investment, become easier to address.
Occupancy across Australia’s capital cities grew in 2025, with strong momentum in destinations such as Hobart and Adelaide. Canberra is trending modestly upward, although average room rates have fallen by about 5%, tightening margins.
James noted a major opportunity lies in encouraging international visitors to take the “second flight” within Australia. While national marketing often focuses on major gateway cities, many visitors are unaware that other destinations are only a short additional flight away. Strengthening industry messaging around easy onward travel could help disperse more visitors into destinations like Canberra and unlock new tourism value.
Consumers are clearly prioritising travel despite cost-of-living pressures, but they are looking for value and experiences rather than simply lower prices. Visitors want to engage with destinations in ways that allow them not just to feel good, but to do good — for example, by supporting local producers, artisans, and community initiatives. This shift highlights opportunities for tourism operators to design experiences that connect guests with local culture and communities.
Workforce pressures remain a key concern. The sector has shifted from a skills shortage to an outright labour shortage, with chefs and cooks particularly difficult to recruit. Apprenticeship commencements remain low, and migration continues to play a critical role, with chefs currently the most common occupation on visas in Australia. James urged businesses to participate in industry and government surveys to ensure workforce data accurately reflects real recruitment challenges, supporting stronger advocacy for the sector..
James also addressed short-term rental regulation, noting that more effective measures are needed to both support housing supply and create a fair and consistent operating environment across accommodation providers. Key recommendations for industry:
- Focus on regional dispersal messaging to encourage second-leg travel
- Contribute workforce data through surveys to support stronger policy advocacy
- Leverage events and business tourism to smooth seasonal demand
- Design experiences that offer value and allow visitors to “do good” in the communities they visit
- Engage with eeger, the dedicated tourism and hospitality jobs platform, to simplify recruitment and connect with jobseekers
Finally, due to the timing of the forum, James briefly addressed the ongoing disruptions in the Middle East and their impact on the tourism sector. At the time of the forum, around 30 Middle Eastern aircraft were grounded in Australia. These grounded aircraft alone would normally operate roughly 150 flights weekly into the country. Aviation logistics and regulations mean that rerouting through other airspace is not a simple option, and this disruption is expected to continue for some time. James emphasised the importance for industry of providing clear public messaging, encouraging travellers to cancel bookings proactively to allow refunds or credits and help ease operational pressures for accommodation providers.
Dr David Marshall, Chair of the Leaders Forum highlighted:
The Canberra Business Chamber is hosting an International Women’s Day Business Breakfast at the Jetty on Thursday 5 March.
Congratulations to the Canberra Region Tourism Award Winners who will be at the National Tourism Awards in Fremantle on Friday evening.
The City Renewal Authority is hosting a forum on Sydney Hill Park on Thursday 12 March. You can find out more and register for free here.
The Canberra Beer and Cider Festival is on at Mercure Canberra on Saturday 21 March, you can visit the website for tickets now.
Our next forum is open for registrations and will be held on Thursday 2 April.