The NSW Government’s latest COVID-19 response package will also include $24 million for eligible live music venues, a support package to help the business events industry in Sydney and regional NSW, and a funding boost for tourism marketing.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new package recognised the Sydney CBD and workers in accommodation, live entertainment and tourism industries had been especially hard hit by COVID-19.
“With international, interstate and business travellers virtually non-existent for the past year, the CBD, and in particular the accommodation industry, has done it tough,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said supporting the live music and business events industry was vital as NSW continued its economic recovery.
“Everyone has missed live music, the industry is coming out of hibernation, and this package will ensure our much loved venues are there to host the gigs people want to see as they celebrate NSW emerging from the pandemic.
“There will also be support for business events and more money to market local tourism attractions as part of the Love NSW platform.
“Our success in containing COVID-19 means we can now focus on assisting these vital industries get back to business,” Mr Ayres said.
The key components of the program are:
- $20 million for up to 200,000 x $100 CBD accommodation vouchers
- $24 million to Destination NSW for a Live Music Support Package to be administered in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner
- $5.5 million for a Business Events Industry Support package to assist businesses in Greater Sydney and across NSW administered by Destination NSW in partnership with BESydney
- $2 million for a Tourism Industry Marketing Support package through Destination NSW’s Love NSW campaign.
The $100 accommodation vouchers will be allocated on a first-in, first-served basis, and is expected to commence in June during the quieter winter period.
Industry has welcomed the announcement, commending the NSW Government for the targeted and timely measures that will help businesses hardest hit by the pandemic.
Business Sydney Executive Director Katherine O’Reagan said: “Sydney is the jewel in the nation’s tourism crown and with nearly a quarter of businesses in the city impacted by COVID, the accommodation sector is amongst the worst hit due to the loss of domestic and international visitors, so this stimulus package will save jobs and boost the whole CBD economy.”
Australian Hotels Association Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said: “The end of JobKeeper will be another blow, so today’s State Government announcement is perfectly timed - it allows hotels to retain more staff knowing bookings are on the horizon once again.”
APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston said: “The risk for NSW without this package was not only the loss of valuable cultural infrastructure but also thousands of jobs that are supported by live music across the hospitality and tourism industries.”
More information about the package will be made available at NSW.gov.au soon.
Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Destination NSW
https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/
No comments:
Post a Comment