11 June 2008

$40M PACKAGE TO REVITALISE NSW TOURISM

The $40 million funding package for tourism announced by the NSW Government today sets the stage for a revival in the stateââ¬â¢s tourism industry, according to peak industry group Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

Tourism Minister Matt Brownââ¬â¢s announcement of funding of $40 million over three years and a new NSW Tourism Strategy signals that the Government is ready to re-engage with NSWââ¬â¢s $23 billion tourism industry.

TTF Managing Director Christopher Brown said that a strategic approach would be vital in reversing the decline in NSW tourism since the Sydney Olympics.

ââ¬ÅâœThe initiatives announced today will help break the post-Olympic slump,ââ¬~ Mr Brown said

ââ¬ÅâœCritically, Minister Brown has committed to developing a ââ¬ËœBrand Sydneyââ¬â¢ strategy."

ââ¬ÅâœSydney is one the worldââ¬â¢s most iconic tourism destinations and NSWââ¬â¢s greatest tourism asset, but it must be strongly promoted in its own right on the global stage if it is to match up to cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo ââ¬' and Melbourne. "

ââ¬ÅâœWe have to make Sydney sexy again.

ââ¬ÅâœTTF has campaigned strongly and consistently for an increased commitment to tourism from the NSW Government, and today marks a positive first step.

ââ¬ÅâœPut simply, we dropped the ball after the Olympics. NSW had a great product to market, but little funding to do so. In the meantime, we were lapped by Queensland and Victoria."

ââ¬ÅâœAs both Queensland and Victoria have shown, if you invest in your local tourism industry, the tourists and their dollars will come."

ââ¬ÅâœTourism operators in NSW have been waiting for 15 months for the release of John Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s review of tourism, and the Government has delivered today."

ââ¬ÅâœA key point of the report is that we have to have the courage to pick tourism winners in NSW. Not every country town is going to be a tourism Mecca."

TTF Australia is the peak national industry group representing tourism, transport and infrastructure. It comprises the chief executives of the 200 most prestigious investors, operators, regulators and developers across Australia.

ââ¬ÅâœWe need to be realistic about what destinations are going to draw tourists from overseas and across Australia."

ââ¬ÅâœOââ¬â¢Neill also recommends using the stateââ¬â¢s wonderful natural tourism assets more effectively and investing strongly in the development of Newcastle Airport and other aviation facilities."

ââ¬ÅâœThe Government will address both of these issues in developing the NSW Tourism Strategy."

ââ¬ÅâœIt has recognised the need for reform in the way tourism in NSW is developed and marketed, committing to set more ambitious tourism growth targets in the NSW State Plan and to adopt a whole-of-government approach to tourism."

ââ¬ÅâœThe strategy will not just focus on marketing but on meeting the supply-side challenges facing tourism, including obstacles to tourism development in the planning system and aviation access."

ââ¬ÅâœIn a fiercely competitive global tourism market, NSW must be able to pull its weight, and industry is ready to work in partnership with government to put the state back on the tourism map."

ââ¬ÅâœThe challenge now is to deliver a comprehensive strategy that lays the foundation for the next 20 years in NSW tourism.ââ¬~

Mr Brown said it was also encouraging that the government had committed to a response to Mr Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s earlier review into convention and exhibition space in Sydney.

ââ¬ÅâœSydney must have expanded convention and exhibition facilities if it is to be competitive in the fast-growing and lucrative global business events market."

ââ¬ÅâœIndustry looks forward to the announcement of a funded strategy for events facilities, and to contributing to the delivery of that strategy.ââ¬~

by the Mole

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