MAJOR FUNDING BOOST DRIVES TOURISM REBOUND IN REGIONAL NSW

The NSW and Australian Governments have announced major funding packages to encourage visitors to visit regional areas and help communities get back on their feet.

The Australian Government is investing an additional $60 million to bring back international visitors to the regions hardest hit by international border closures. Tourism Australia will receive $45 million for projects, including $15 million for advertising in international markets; $25 million for partnership activities with trade wholesalers, airlines and media; and $5 million to extend the Business Events Australia’s bid fund, which has already helped win 57 events for Australia.

Business Events Council of Australia Chair Dr Leo Jago OAM said: “This investment is a critical step in Australia’s international recovery and adds much needed certainty to international interest in Australia. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, global competition for consumers, talent, business and investment has never been greater; and business events provide an ideal platform to promote Australia to the world.”

The Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director Peter Shelley said: “This funding aligns with our budget asks and will help some of the most affected parts of our export tourism industry to re-boot and re-engage their international markets."

Applications have also opened for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund (REAF) to help bring new major sporting, lifestyle, food, music, art and cultural events to regional NSW.

“We are serious about driving investment and tourism in the regions – and this package will put more heads on beds, fill restaurants and cafés, and help drive regional NSW’s economic recovery from bushfires, floods, drought, COVID-19 and the current flooding crisis,” Acting Premier Paul Toole said.

“The package has already supported more than 80 events and attracted an estimated one million visitors to the regions, laying the foundations for a strong recovery across regional NSW. Helping organisers host world-class events in their own backyard showcases our great regional towns to national and international audiences.”

Event organisers, regional NSW councils, not-for-profit organisations, sporting bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils are eligible to apply for grants.

Applications to the Regional Events Acceleration Fund close on 4 October 2022.