13 February 2006

Media alert: BRENT RITCHIE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON TOURISM ATTRACTIONS REPORT

Dr Brent Ritchie, Director of the Sustainable Tourism CRC at the University of Canberra is available to speak on the Tourism Attractions Report, which was released today.

The report, which was a joint project between the Australian Capital Tourism Corporation, National Capital Attractions Association (NCAA) and the University of Canberra, was the first to estimate the economic impact of the attractions sector to the ACT economy.

Dr Ritchie conducted the research and was the author of the report.   Some of the findings of the report included:

• The ACT attractions are directly responsible for tourism expenditure of around $250M per annum
• The report also indicated that the high spending segment of the tourism market included those on their first holiday to Canberra, visitors who travelled without children and tourists from Queensland, WA and Tasmania.
• The highest spending age group were those between 50 and 59.   Visitors to Canberra for holiday and leisure purposes spent more than those who came to visit friends and relatives.

Dr Ritchie believes that this report will add weight to the marketing initiatives undertaken by Australian Capital Tourism.

"I believe that this report will assist tourism operators to better plan marketing strategies and to target the sections of the tourism market which can provide a higher economic return", Dr Ritchie said.

Dr Ritchie is available for interview between 9.00 am and 12 noon tomorrow, (14 February 2006).   Please call Dr Ritchie on 0413 938 115.

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UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
T: 02 6201 5855
M: 0409 470 755

Kaddie Pass
T: 02 6201 2681

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Last Updated on August 1, 2005