Promoting the ACT across a range of sectors including tourism, aviation, education, sustainability and transport will be the focus of an ACT trade delegation to Mumbai, Delhi and Singapore.
Four days will be spent in India – currently the second biggest inbound market for international visitors to Canberra - accounting for 20,000 visitors in the year ending September 2023. India is the strongest international market to rebound from pre-covid levels at 121%.
Accompanied by the Canberra Convention Bureau, meetings in Mumbai will be held with tourism industry partners and Tourism Australia representatives to promote Canberra as a destination to visit and hold conferences and business events. The delegation will also meet with Air India on developing direct flights over the coming years.
India is the ACT's second largest international student market. To further promote Canberra as a study destination we are joined by Professor Lucy Johnson, Interim Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra, senior representatives from UNSW, the Australian National University, the Australian Catholic University and CIT to meet with industry stakeholders including IDP Education – the world's largest overseas student placement company.
Cricket ACT will join the delegation to promote Canberra in the world's biggest cricket market.
Across two and a half days in Singapore, the delegation will continue to build on one of the ACT's most active international relationships.
Aviation and tourism are again a focus in Singapore, with trade engagement events and the promotion of Canberra's business events market also on the agenda.
Accompanied by representatives from Canberra Airport, the delegation will meet with Singapore Airlines to advance the prospect of re-establishing direct flights between Singapore and Canberra. A key element to restore direct flights between Singapore and Canberra will be growth in three large source markets: India, China and Europe. Visit Canberra is working closely with Tourism Australia and industry partners to achieve this.
A number of ACT export businesses will also be travelling with the delegation.
The cost of the delegation, including two accompanying staff to India and one to Singapore, is approximately $30,000. This is met from the ACT Executive 2023-24 budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular travel reports.
