In brief:

• The 2025–26 ACT Budget is investing in Canberra’s tourism, hospitality and events sectors.
• This will help city is grow as a destination for both tourism and business.
• This story outlines the targeted investment included in the Budget.

The 2025–26 ACT Budget will support Canberra’s tourism, hospitality and events sectors.

Targeted investment will help attract more visitors and events to Canberra. It will:

• support Canberra’s growing visitor economy
• strengthen the city’s national profile
• deliver high-quality events that benefit the whole community.

This will help ensure the city is well-placed to grow as a visitor and business hub.

Telstra Tower – an iconic landmark

The ACT Government is committed to returning Telstra Tower as part of the Canberra tourism experience.

The tower is one of Canberra’s most recognisable landmarks. The Government is partnering with Telstra to support its revitalisation. This will include a modern, commercially viable fit-out.

The Government is working towards finalising an operational agreement with Telstra.

Supporting Canberra’s tourism industry

The Government is supporting the Territory’s tourism industry with:

• continued operational support for the Canberra Convention Bureau
• an Aviation Stimulus Fund to improve flight access to the capital
• continuing the Major Events Fund
• support for core activities of Brand Canberra, the National Capital Educational Tourism Project, and in-market tourism representation
• support for major events. These include Enlighten, Floriade, New Year’s Eve, and Windows to the World, returning in 2025.

Support for international engagement

The Budget also includes support to continue the ACT’s international engagement activities. These include:

• trade missions
• business export support
• international partnerships, with a focus on business, education and tourism opportunities.

The investment is part of the ACT Government’s broader plan to grow Canberra’s economy and support local jobs.

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