MAJOR HALF BILLION DOLLAR TOURISM AND EVENTS PACKAGE TO BRING NSW BACK TO LIFE

The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has welcomed a more than $530 million NSW Government package which will fund a range of key visitor economy measures and reboot the State as it reopens from lockdowns and starts to recover from the damage caused by COVID-19.

TTF CEO Margy Osmond said the multi-faceted tourism and events package was perfectly timed to coincide with the state opening back up from November 1 and that the funding was well balanced across the city and the bush.

“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,” Margy Osmond said.

“Importantly for our struggling hotel and accommodation sector the funding includes $250 million for an expanded Stay and Rediscover scheme providing a $50 voucher to all NSW adults to go towards accommodation across the state which will go a long way to encouraging residents to get out and about to rediscover Sydney and the NSW regions, towns and cities.

“There is also a significant $50 million regional events package, the key plank of a wider new $150 million in support for major event recovery, as well as $60 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to recommence flights to the state.

“Additionally, TTF welcomes the $50 million to reattract events to our struggling CBD as well as $6 million specifically for business events, $25 million for a Festival Relaunch package and $10 million for a Recovery Marketing Campaign.

“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.

“It will go a long way to get our state back in business, to get people travelling both by road and by plane though our airports large and small and will help to save jobs and livelihoods across the state.

“Congratulations to Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres for committing to the recovery of the NSW tourism, accommodation, aviation and events industry and for setting a strong template for other States to follow as most start to open in the leadup to summer.”

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Contact: TTF Manager Policy, Media & Government Relations Lindsay Hermes lhermes@ttf.org.au 0418 948 447