New South Wales State budget fails the tourism industry – again.
Chris Brown, Managing Director of TTF Australia the peak industry group says that the tourism industry has been left frustrated by minimal funding for tourism in yesterday’s NSW Budget.
He said that while a $3.4 million injection for major events is welcome, the absence of any new funding for the state’s tourism marketing agency will be a disappointment to the industry.
“The facts are stark – with each Budget that passes without an increase in funding for Tourism NSW, the NSW tourism industry falls further behind its competitor states in its ability to attract visitors from Australia and overseas.
“If NSW is to regain its status as Australia’s number one tourism state, the Government must provide both robust funding and strong leadership in the shape of a comprehensive strategy for tourism.”
“Domestic visitor numbers to NSW declined by 10.5% between 2001 and 2006 and while international visitor numbers grew, but only by 6% – compared to 18% growth in Victoria and 11% growth in Queensland.
“NSW is losing its share of both markets, and is now out of sync with other states on tourism funding.”
“The Victorian and Queensland Governments committed $66 million and $50 million respectively to tourism in their 2007-08 Budgets.”
“The $3.4 million funding package for major events in NSW is at least a first step towards recovering the ground lost in this sector since the Sydney Olympics, but it still pales in comparison to the Victorian Government’s allocation of $34 million.”
“Industry appreciates that there are reviews of tourism and major events in NSW and convention and exhibition space in Sydney currently being undertaken by John O’Neill.” “The outcome of these reviews must include a substantial financial commitment from the NSW Government.”
Report by The Mole
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