Blue Mountains tourism welcomes NSW government grant to attract post fire visitation

A Blue Mountains tourism authority has welcomed an emergency NSW Government grant as it attempts to lure back visitors scared off by its bushfire crisis.

The NSW Government has given Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) $227,500 to undertake a marketing and promotion campaign to encourage domestic and international tourists to visit the popular tourism region.

BMLOT Chairman Randall Walker said the past few weeks had been "very challenging" for the region's tourism industry, with losses of up to $2 million a day and jobs at risk as visitors cancelled bookings or stayed away.

Welcoming the funding, Walker explained "this additional funding is required to stem the decline.

"We will now be able to focus on recovering to previous visitor and visitor expenditure levels of four million visitors and $550 million a year.

"Our tourism industry generates more than 5,100 equivalent full-time jobs. I know a number of tourism people - business owners and employees - were among those who lost their homes ... to also lose their job would compound the devastation to a family.

"Visitors who wanted to help the local industry should 'spoil themselves' with a short break or day trip to the region.

"Stay in one of our quality hotels, motels, guesthouses and B&Bs; dine in one of our world-class restaurants or cafes such as Silk's Brasserie at Leura or Echoes Restaurants at Katoomba; visit one of our outstanding attractions such as Scenic World or Jenolan Caves near Oberon; book an adventure with one of our outdoor guides; and we'll throw in some of the most spectacular vistas on the planet for free, such as the famous Echo Point Lookout at Katoomba or Hassans Walls at Lithgow."

Walker stressed that there was no need for people to cancel or defer their visit to the region, adding "people have been asking how they can help the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon community. There is no better way to help than to support those tourism jobs.

Walker reminded visitors that the recent bushfires occurred on the northern side of the escarpment and that the most popular visitor experiences on the southern side remained completely unaffected.

He highlighted that the Great Western Highway and railway line has remained fully open to the upper mountains throughout the reporting of fire activity and sometimes the closure of Bells Line of Rodd was confused with access to the Blue Mountains.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell also encouraged people to support the region by visiting the Blue Mountains, Lithgow or Oberon, stating "I want to send the message to everyone that the Blue Mountains are open for business.

"This is one of the most scenic parts of the world, with outstanding restaurants, attractions and accommodation.

"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."

Premier O'Farrell added that BMLOT would use some of the funding to promote the district to international markets, critical to ensure tourism was rebuilt quickly in the region, explaining "activities will include media and trade famils 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."

NSW Tourism Minister George Souris said the Blue Mountains area was one of the most popular for visitors to NSW.

He concluded "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."