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.
Margot McNeill, CEO Canberra Institute of Technology on the future of the tourism and hospitality courses and the Canberra Institute of Technology’s future growth plans
Margot highlighted the long-standing connection between CIT and the Canberra region’s visitor economy – from hospitality and tourism to the skilled trades underpinning hotels, venues and attractions. With almost a century of workforce training behind them, Margot noted that many people working in tourism today - chefs, baristas, venue staff, builders, marketers and administrators - have been trained at CIT or taught by someone who was.
Margot emphasised the growing need for mastery in the industry: not just meeting competency standards, but nurturing passionate, confident professionals who elevate visitor experiences. CIT’s new Woden campus and teaching restaurant are designed to build this capability, giving students hands-on learning supported by industry-experienced educators, guest lecturers and workplace placements.
Addressing chronic skills shortages, Margot spoke about the need for a more flexible and diverse training pipeline. CIT is building modular, stackable training so new workers can quickly gain the skills they need to start on the job, then continue learning as they progress.
Future skills are also front-of-mind. CIT is embedding sustainability, electrification and practical use of AI tools into teaching, helping workers stay responsive to changing business needs and cost pressures.
Margot encouraged operators to keep collaborating through placements, input into training, short courses for staff, and visits to CIT’s training spaces. Strong partnerships between industry and CIT will be essential to developing a skilled, future-ready tourism workforce for Canberra.
Tara Cheyne MLA, ACT Attorney-General; Minister for City and Government Services; Minister for Human Rights; Minister for the Night-Time Economy
Minister Cheyne urged the tourism sector to treat local residents as genuine partners in shaping Canberra’s visitor experience. While destinations around the world grapple with overcrowding and frustrated communities, she argued that proactive cities can avoid these pressures by diversifying what visitors see and do — and that locals are one of the most powerful tools in making that happen.
Travellers increasingly rely on trusted recommendations, with word-of-mouth and local online reviews often carrying more weight than traditional advertising. From Reddit to Instagram, visitors want to know what locals know, and Canberra residents are already sharing that story.
Minister Cheyne encouraged tourism operators to see themselves as ambassadors for the wider city, not just their own venue. A simple question like “What else do you have planned?” — followed by authentic recommendations — keeps visitors exploring longer, spreads economic benefit, and strengthens the perception of Canberra as a welcoming destination.
She also highlighted some of the lesser-known gems that help distribute visitors more widely: nature reserves, mountain biking trails, family-friendly playgrounds, arts and cultural venues, and unique sites like Tidbinbilla Tracking Station (The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex). Canberra is far more than the Parliamentary Triangle; it’s pristine environment, culture, food, music and memory-making moments.
Her call to action: confidence breeds confidence. If operators champion local experiences, visitors stay longer, spend more, and leave with a story worth sharing. Every person in the industry and the community holds power to shape how Canberra feels — and how long travellers stick around.
Question: Where are we currently with the night time economy and stimulating interest in the city, particularly between 5pm and 7pm?
Minister Cheyne shared that recent national expenditure data showed that Canberra currently records the highest spending of any metropolitan area in Australia outside Sydney and Melbourne. The spending data confirms a strong customer base already engaging with the night-time economy and that Canberra's nightlife is gaining momentum. She pointed to how this aligns with trends among Gen Z behaviours and spending habits as they increasingly prioritise memorable activities and social experiences over traditional drinking-focused nights.
To support this shift, the ACT Government has introduced micro-grants for venues to create unique experiences, and extended significant licence fee discounts for businesses that host cultural events. Venues that deliver at least ten cultural experiences a year can access 50–80% off liquor licence fees, making it easier and more attractive to invest in programming that draws people into the city earlier and more often.
Michael Thomson, Head of Aviation Canberra Airport on the return of Qatar Airways flights and potential plans of other international and Australians carriers
Michael highlighted strong post-COVID recovery and renewed momentum in air connectivity for the Canberra region. Canberra Airport now services 12 domestic destinations, a 66% increase on 2018, and international capacity continues to build, strengthening inbound visitor potential.
While the industry continues to navigate high airfares, cancellations and global workforce shortages, Michael stressed that the trajectory is positive, with leisure travel driving much of the momentum.
New services from Pelican and Link Airways are already generating short-break visitation, while Fiji Airways’ updated schedule provides quick, seamless connections to North America and the Pacific. The headline announcement is the return of Qatar Airways, with daily flights from 2 December opening access to more than 170 destinations across Europe and beyond.
We expect to see many more international visitors coming directly into Canberra — not via Sydney or Melbourne.
Looking ahead, additional international growth is a priority, and Singapore Airlines is expected to return. While there isn’t a confirmed timeline, plans for a direct, four-day-a-week service are under consideration. Canberra Airport is also pursuing opportunities to connect with Auckland, China, Bali and Vietnam, alongside domestic growth such as a second Perth service and increased connectivity to Cairns, Launceston and the Sunshine Coast.
Michael emphasised the importance of destination awareness, noting Canberra is being outspent by competing regions. He urged the tourism sector to collaborate with local representatives and keep the need for strong marketing investment front-of-mind, ensuring the region can fully capitalise on its expanding aviation network.
Dr David Marshall, Chair of the Leaders Forum highlighted:
A reminder that the 2025 Canberra Region Tourism Awards will be held on 21 November, be sure to visit the website and get your tickets now.
The City Renewal Authority are hosting a City Centre and Braddon business update on Tuesday 11 November from 3pm to 5pm, you can register for free here.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Southern NSW and ACT are holding a Tourism Roundtable for the region on Wednesday 19 November at Old Parliament House. Learn more and get your tickets here: Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable
Our next advisory forum on Wednesday 10 December will be followed by a VisitCanberra Industry Update. Stay tuned for more information on our website and register for the December forum to attend.
Next forum Wednesday 10 December 2025.
Speakers will include: Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Trade; Qatar Airways (speaker to be announced); Jonathan Kobus, Executive Branch Manager VisitCanberra & a special extended VisitCanberra Industry Update