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.
His Excellency Andrew Needs, New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia, on the future of Australia’s biggest tourism market
His Excellency Andrew Neaves addressed tourism leaders on the opportunities and challenges facing trans-Tasman tourism. Drawing on personal experience, he reflected on both Taranaki and Canberra, showing how hidden gems and distinctive experiences shape perceptions and engagement. This highlighted the importance of seeing our destination and its unique offerings through the visitor’s eyes.
Speaking to the broader Australia–New Zealand relationship, he noted that Australia is New Zealand’s most important partner across all metrics, including trade, wider economic relationships, immigration, security, and tourism.
Both nations face similar seasonal and geographic challenges, with visitor flows often concentrated in a few iconic destinations. Expanding the spread of tourism is key to improving visitor experiences and delivering benefits across regions.
He observed that Canberra naturally attracts advocacy and return visits. He shared that friends who had visited Australia multiple times but never Canberra, were so impressed on their recent first visit that they were already planning a return trip before heading home.
“Canberra's weather is second to none. It's got wonderful outdoor opportunities, true seasons, and it offers that unique historical and political insight that informs what makes modern Australia.”
A central theme of his address was collaboration and mutual benefit. He strongly advocated for direct flight connections between Canberra and New Zealand, noting such links would allow local operators to leverage trans-Tasman connections and expand visitor reach.
“I never pass up an opportunity when I'm talking to Qantas or Air New Zealand to plead the case for a Canberra–New Zealand connection.”
Through a blend of insight and personable storytelling, His Excellency reminded industry leaders that thoughtful promotion, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of visitor perspectives are essential to growing the visitor economy, and that stakeholders play a key role in enhancing connections and experiences across the Tasman.
John Hart OAM, Executive Chair Australian Chamber – Tourism, on the current state of the tourism industry and 2026 predictions
John outlined a bold vision for Australia’s visitor economy, highlighting opportunities for growth, sustainability, and regional development. Representing 42 peak tourism organisations, John emphasised the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s role in shaping national policy and advocating for initiatives that drive visitation and economic impact.
Looking ahead to 2026, John shared their four key priorities:
- Generating demand
- Operating sustainably
- Improving the passenger journey
- Strengthening regional economies
He stressed the need to position Australia as a top global destination and shared the aspirational target of $260–280 billion annually for the visitor economy. Investment in marketing, business events, and regional infrastructure will be central to achieving this goal.
“We shouldn’t have the bar on returning to what we were in 2019… We need to be aspirational to get to that sort of $260 to $280 billion a year level.”
Sustainability is increasingly emerging as a critical competitive differentiator. John highlighted the urgency of reducing carbon emissions, advancing sustainable aviation fuel, and delivering net-zero outcomes across regions. With growing international markets and strong projections for international visitor spend in Australia, positioning Australia as a sustainable destination is key to attracting more of these visitors and maintaining growth across the visitor economy.
Regional tourism and agritourism remain untapped in many areas, offering significant growth potential for the ACT and surrounding Southern NSW region. Targeted investment in farm-gate experiences, rural attractions, and dispersal strategies is needed. He stressed workforce development, including skilled migration and international student participation, is essential to delivering quality experiences and realising visitor economy ambitions. Emphasising that we must invest in our workforce to deliver on the promises made to visitors.
Ultimately, achieving a globally competitive, aspirational tourism sector will require ambitious investment, sustainable practices, regional activation, and strong collaboration across operators, business leaders, and stakeholders.
Olivia West, CEO Regional Development Australia – Southern NSW & ACT, on the expectations of operators across the Region in 2026
Olivia introduced Regional Development Australia (RDA) Southern NSW & ACT and outlined its role as a locally led organisation working with all levels of government to help the region thrive as a place to live, work and do business. She shared insights from the recent Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable hosted by RDA and what they mean for the region’s visitor economy.
Roundtable participants were clear: visitors don’t see borders, they experience the region as a connected destination. The discussion reinforced Canberra’s critical role as a gateway to the broader region. Yet planning, funding and decision-making continue to occur in silos. The region has strong natural, cultural, agricultural, and event-based experiences; the visitor economy is constrained by system-level fragmentation rather than a lack of product.
Four challenges emerged consistently: fragmentation and seasonality; weak transport and experience connectivity; workforce instability; and inconsistent planning and investment signals. These constraints limit consumer awareness, dispersal, length of stay and business confidence, particularly during shoulder seasons.
Participants identified three strategic directions that would make the biggest difference:
- Stronger regional coordination and shared leadership
- Year-round experiences supported by better connectivity
- A more stable, mobile tourism workforce
The roundtable also highlighted where ACT leadership can have the greatest impact, including transport and airport-to-region connectivity, workforce mobility and training pathways, event-led dispersal and shoulder-season growth, and shared visitor information and wayfinding.
Olivia emphasised that RDA Southern NSW & ACT is already putting these insights into action by informing advocacy and policy, aligning with workforce, transport and economic development priorities, and supporting cross-border, evidence-based decisions.
The opportunity now is for industry and government to act collectively to unlock the full potential of a connected regional visitor economy.
“This is not a report that sits on the shelf. It's a tool to better communicate and to have conversations that support coordinated decisions.”
Dr David Marshall, Chair of the Leaders Forum highlighted:
Last Tuesday evening, the National Capital Attractions Association, the Department of Parliamentary Services, Visit Canberra and the Friends of Tourism (David Smith and Senator Pocock) hosted a Capital Region Showcase at Parliament House. The event was excellently attended, with hundreds of guests including many politicians. Thank you to Deb from the NCAA for her work in organising the showcase.
Welcome Back to Business Cocktail Party. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with VIPs, business leaders, colleagues and peers, meet new people, and start the year with the Chamber community. We hope you can join us at the Red Shed on Thursday 26 February. You do need to book in for this, and tickets are selling fast – so please don’t miss out!
Also the Chamber’s 2026 International Women’s Day Business Breakfast is being held at the Jetty on Thursday 5 March.
The Royal Australian Mint will hold an Open Day on 28 February. Further details are available on the Mint’s website here.
A reminder that the Multicultural Festival is taking place this weekend. We encourage everyone to get involved and support the event.
Our next forum will be held on Tuesday 3 March. Guest speakers will include a presentation on the significant growth in mountain bike tourism, along with several other outstanding speakers.