Port Macquarie thanks tourists for 1763 jobs
A report in the Port Macquarie News says that more than 1700 Hastings residents owe their jobs to tourists, with the figures released by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council showing that the tourism industry generated 1763 direct jobs and 2644 indirect jobs in the Greater Port Macquarie region by the end of last year.
The Tourism and Transport Forum Australia NSW Tourism Employment Atlas shows 9243 people on the Mid-North Coast are directly employed in the industry, 7.4% of the region’s workforce, which is higher than the state average.
The Atlas is the first analysis of tourism-based employment by state tourism regions in NSW, with TTF’s MD, Chris Brown, saying that the Mid-North Coast had experienced a steady level of tourism growth compared to other NSW regions, adding “The local tourism industry and its regional tourism organisation are to be congratulated on the level of tourism employment in the region and the great work they do to promote their region”. “Tourism is a critical employer on the Mid-North Coast. However, even more jobs will be created if we have greater investment in tourism funding at a state level.”
That view is echoed by El Paso Motor Inn co-owner Wayne Pursell, who said, “It is time that our state government recognise the importance of the tourism sector to regions such as ours.” “Tourism is a clean, renewable resource and has the potential to be an even larger driving force in NSW’s economy, if only we can secure the funding it deserves.” Mr Pursell said he was not surprised Port Macquarie defied the state average, saying, “We have a great tourism body that has really been kicking some goals lately.”
El Paso Motor Inn, which employs 43 staff, attracts 30,000 guests a year who each inject $97 a day into the economy.
Mid-North Coast Regional Tourism Organisation acting chair Kathy Balodis welcomed the results of the employment atlas, saying that it highlights just how important tourism is to the Mid-North Coast economy, saying “Tourism generates millions of dollars for the local economy and helps to promote our region at state, national and international levels.” “Tourism helps to keep our talented young workers in our region and is a cohesive force within our local communities.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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