Malaysia Sun reports that tourism in New South Wales is a basket case
It appears that the reported dire state of the New South Wales tourism industry is of interest overseas, with even The Malaysia Sun picking up on the content of the recent Tourism Business Alliance/KPMG report, which offers a 5 point plan to reshape and revive tourism in Australia’s largest state.
The Malaysia Sun report goes on to say that the plan has been put to the state’s new Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown and to the O’Neil inquiry into tourism, with TBA Chairman Jayson Westbury, saying over the past few years tourism in NSW had become a basket case and the laughing stock of Australia, while in other states tourism had thrived and prospered with Government support.
“Even the ACT and Tasmania spend more on tourism than NSW. While other states have dramatically increased their funding for tourism in real terms (eg WA by 45% and Vic by 44%) the NSW allocation has declined by 11%.”
“It is a sorry tale of neglect and illustrates that in this state tourism has become an orphan.”
“While rigor mortis has not yet set in for the tourist industry in NSW, the body is ailing and immediate corrective action is required now.”
“Our members throughout the state have become frustrated, concerned and angry, and their fears are supported by the statistics contained in the KPMG report,” he said.
“The facts are that since 2000 in NSW domestic visitor expenditure has fallen by 14%, the tourism budget has been slashed by 11%, and tourism budget expenditure is now the lowest of all states and territories.”
TBA wants the government to inject an additional $20 million a year, the establishment of a 10 year whole-of-government tourism strategy, greater consumer protection, and an upgrade of convention and exhibition space.
Mr Westbury said the industry had great hopes in the state’s new Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown, who came from a regional background and brought a fresh approach and enthusiasm to the job.
“However, he’s coming off a very low base.”
“Over the past few years tourism in NSW has been starved of funds, downgraded to a junior portfolio under the Department of State and Regional Development’s wing, and has becoming increasingly Sydney-centric.”
Mr. Westbury said “For regional tourism operators Sydney is like a giant black hole spinning in space – it devours everything that comes close to it, but nothing ever comes back out.”
“We need to ensure that the Government looks beyond Sydney and works constructively with tourism operators to bring new jobs and a financial boost to other areas that have been neglected for too long.”
“It’s time we turned this around and made a new start that will bring jobs and a massive economic boost to the state.”
“We believe our new 5-point Plan is a good start and hope that we can work cooperatively with Government to pump some life back into this essential but ailing industry.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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