The tourism and events recovery package includes:
- $250 million for the expanded Stay & Rediscover scheme providing a $50 voucher to all NSW adults to redeem at accommodation premises across NSW
- $60 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney
- $10 million for a Recovery Marketing Campaign including an extension of the successful road trips campaign launched in 2020
- $6 million to bring business events back to the city
- $50 million for the CBDs Revitalisation Program to support events and activations in CBDs across Greater Sydney and surrounds
- $150 million to support the recovery of major event activity across the state including $50 million for a Regional Events Package to support major events, festivals, agricultural shows and community events across the regions
- An Event Saver Fund to provide immediate support to organisers if events are cancelled or disrupted by any public health orders during the 2021-22 summer
- $25 million for the Festival Relaunch package to stabilise established commercial and not-for-profit festivals, big and small, so they can program with confidence into 2022/23.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this package would bring back visitors and supercharge the businesses and attractions that contribute $38 billion to our economy, making the state one of the world’s most popular destinations.
“Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas. This package not only ensures they can, but that they’ll experience the very best of what we have to offer,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s also great news for people right across our state, reviving events and businesses and bringing our major drawcards back to life. Importantly, more than 300,000 people rely on our tourism industry and our aim is to reclaim our position as one of the world’s favourite destinations.”
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the much-needed investment would help revive shuttered businesses and bring tourism providers back to their vibrant best.
“This was a one-in-one-hundred-year event which severely damaged our tourism industry; operators barely hung in there as they lost bookings, customers and staff; now as we rebuild we can do so with confidence,” Mr Ayres said.
“For our visitor economy to reach its full potential we need event owners to dream big, airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world-class venues and hospitality with enthusiasm once again.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said getting tourism back on track and reviving the visitor economy was key to the state’s economic recovery.
“We know NSW is the best place to live, work, learn and play, but this is about bringing visitors back, boosting business and serving up the best of what NSW has to offer to the world,” Mr Kean said.
“We want to support citizens to get out and explore their own backyard, give our events sector the confidence to get back to business, and send the signal to the airline industry that NSW is and always will be Australia’s gateway to the world.”
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said the lights of our cities had been dimmed for too long.
“Whether you are heading back to the office, in town for a show or a game, or meeting some friends for an alfresco drink, we want to make going into city centres a magical experience.”
The tourism recovery package is a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.
The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has welcomed the package saying it was perfectly timed to coincide with the state opening back up from 1 November.
“This major new funding package is exactly what is needed to support the tourism and events industry as we collectively dust off the cobwebs, reopen the doors and get ready to welcome back intrastate, interstate and hopefully international visitors across NSW over the peak summer season,” said TTF CEO Margy Osmond.
“TTF has long been advocating for the measures now included in this comprehensive and strategic visitor economy support package which will breathe life back into NSW.”
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said the funding announcement was a great outcome for Sydney’s business events industry, which having the lion’s share of the events market, could have the biggest impact in restarting the economy.
“With restrictions continuing to ease, Sydney is coming back to life and the funding will continue the positive momentum. We can’t wait to see that same confidence now flow through to business and to welcome our national and global business delegates back here soon.”
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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