No. 28 
Major funding boost for Floriade and Nightfest in tourism budget

The ACT Government is providing an extra $2.176 million over four years in the 2010-11 Budget for Canberra’s premier tourism event, Floriade.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, said this extra funding brought the Australian Capital Tourism budget to $15.897 million a year.

“Tourism is a vital sector of the ACT economy, contributing around $1.3 billion to the local economy and accounting for almost 13,000 jobs,” Mr Barr said.

“Floriade continues to be a major event in Canberra’s tourism calendar and a key contributor to the local economy.”  

Mr Barr said the Government would invest:
•	 $1.876 million over four years for the future delivery of Floriade and Floriade NightFest; and
•	$300,000 for a high level concept design for the development and improvement of Commonwealth Park to support the operational and safety requirements of Floriade over the short to medium term.

Mr Barr said Floriade 2009 contributed $22.7 million to the ACT economy, second only to the record breaking $25.3 million for the 2008 event.

“The 2009 event was set against the backdrop of the global financial crisis but still attracted an attendance of 362,684 compared to 407,667 the previous year,” he said.

“Nightfest has been running for two years and has attracted over 46,000 visits in that time. It is essential that we continue to invest in such a great event for visitors as well as our community,” Mr Barr concluded.

4 May 2010
Media contact:		Paul Kindermann	6205 1690 (w)	0403 600 955 (m)
			paul.kindermann@act.gov.au