“The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is contributing $227,500 to market and promote the Blue Mountains region to domestic and international tourists,” NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said.
“Now the immediate bushfire threat has passed, one of the most important things we can do to support the Blue Mountains is to go and visit the region,” he said.
“I’m concerned motels and B&Bs are reporting cancellations and businesses are suffering, so I want to send the message to everyone that the Blue Mountains is open for business.
“This is one of the most scenic parts of the world, with outstanding restaurants, attractions and accommodation,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Tourism literally supports hundreds of jobs in the Blue Mountains. Many people have already lost their homes, it would only add to their heartache if they lost their jobs too.
“Blue Mountains Tourism will use some of the funding to promote the district to international markets. This is critical to ensure tourism is rebuilt quickly in the region,” he said.
“Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage has done a wonderful job supporting her electorate during the crisis and strongly argued for this additional funding to support local tourism operators.
“Activities will include media and trade familiarisations to generate international publicity, hosted visits by inbound tour operators within Australia, online marketing and exhibiting at the Australian Tourism Exchange where the tourism industry meets each year to secure more visitors to NSW,” he said.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events George Souris said the Blue Mountains area is one of the most popular for visitors to NSW.
“It is critical we continue to support the local industry. In addition to the new funding, our tourism agency, Destination NSW, is also providing marketing and publicity support both overseas and domestically to ensure everyone knows the region is open for business to secure short break bookings for the Blue Mountains,” Mr Souris said.
“This package includes $77,500 of new money to promote the area to international tourists, in addition to $150,000, which will be used to conduct festivals, events and a short breaks campaign for the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas.”
Member for Blue Mountains Roza Sage said this funding will significantly assist in the recovery effort to ensure tourism remains strong.
“Tourism is a critical part of the economy for the Blue Mountains, with so many businesses and people reliant upon the visitors it brings to our beautiful region,” she said
Tourism welcomes state recovery campaign
Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) said it is pleased with the State Government announcement of a $2 million summer campaign for regional NSW highlighting tourism businesses which have remained physically untouched yet financially affected by the recent bushfires.
BMLOT chairman Randall Walker also welcomed Premier Barry O’Farrell’s encouraging of visitors to the Blue Mountains by train.
For this weekend, the two hop-on/hop-off bus operators in the area, Blue Mountains Explorer Bus and Blue Mountains Trolley Tours, have both generously offered 50% of fares to be donated to the Blue Mountains Mayoral Relief Fund.
“I am very proud to say that tourism operators throughout the region willingly complied with the responsible advice from the Rural Fire Service,’’ he said.
“The tourism industry, which is one of the major employers in our region, predominantly consists of small to medium sized businesses. That they rely on a constant stream of visitors goes without saying.
“However, that constant stream was interrupted suddenly and by up to several days for some operators this week and many of them are suffering from significant losses in income, including the large businesses in the region which employ a considerable amount of local people.’’
Mr Walker said regional tourism losses were up to $1.5 million a day, compounded to more than $2 million a day with cancellations from “over-reacting visitors for a month into the future and, inexplicably, a few around Christmas’’.
“We have major operators that are down $300,000 to $1 million in revenue and, of the same percentage impact, small businesses that are down critical amounts of $10,000 to $20,000. I know one operator that has to refund $20,000 for a wedding and another that has facilitated more than 100 accommodation cancellations.
“Tourism Minister George Souris and Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase had pledged support early during the fire situation. It is great to now have a tangible campaign confirmed.’’
BMLOT had made representations to state and federal members across the region, and Blue Mountains State MP Roza Sage then approached key state cabinet ministers, including Treasurer Mike Baird, Tourism Minister George Souris and Small Business Minister Katrina Hodgkinson.
Mr Walker stressed that:
- The railway line and Great Western Hwy to the upper Blue Mountains remain open
- Major attractions such as Scenic World and Jenolan Caves remain open
- Villages of Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath, Oberon, the township of Lithgow and Emirates Wolgan Valley are all open to welcome visitors
- Major lookouts on the southern side of the escarpment such as Echo Point are open
- Visitor Information Centres are open
- Many large tracts of bush/parks/reserves, especially on the southern side are untouched by fireCafés, restaurants, shops, hotels and resorts continue to trade.
The tourism and hospitality industry is of critical importance to the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon regional economy, with four million visitors a year according to National Parks & Wildlife Service figures, visitor expenditure $550 million a year and more than 5,100 full-time equivalent positions.
No comments:
Post a Comment