11 June 2008

$40m NSW Tourism Strategy will help get NSW through tough times

Sydney Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the NSW GovernmentÃ¢â¬â¢s announcement of $40 million over three years to develop a new NSW Tourism Strategy as a step to insulate NSW against international and domestic pressures.

This announcement comes in addition to the $85 million over three years for Events NSW and the $43.7 million for Tourism NSW in this yearÃ¢â¬â¢s budget.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœRising oil and petrol prices, a strong Australian dollar and domestic interest rates are going to place additional pressure on an already tough NSW tourism market over the next few years,Ã¢â¬~ said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of Sydney Chamber of Commerce.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThis additional $40 million announcement is a good step in getting Sydney and NSW on the front foot for the tighter tourism market ahead. Ã¢â¬Åâœ

Mrs Forsythe said she welcomed the GovernmentÃ¢â¬â¢s announcement of a intense three-month consultation with industry and looked forward to the opportunity to work with Tourism NSW and Events NSW to create a unique Ã¢â¬Åâœbrand SydneyÃ¢â¬~ that will attract new events, investment, more student and business visitors and holiday makers.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe State Government through this announcement has acknowledged that we canÃ¢â¬â¢t rely on the reputation of Sydney and NSW from five second news clips and our Olympics legacy to attract tourists and keep our tourism industry healthy.Ã¢â¬~

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe need a dedicated advertising campaign to sell Sydney and NSW to domestic and international visitors, to convince them that this is the place to visit, relax and have fun TodayÃ¢â¬â¢s announcement should deliver this campaign.Ã¢â¬~

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe GovernmentÃ¢â¬â¢s plans for SydneyÃ¢â¬â¢s Exhibition Centre and entertainment venues are going to be crucial for Sydney to reverse our declining tourist numbers,Ã¢â¬~ Mrs Forythe concluded.

by The Mole