Funding boost for NSW tourism

NSW Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay has announced that $2.7 million will be invested in Greater Sydneyâs tourism precincts over the next three years to promote local destinations and events.

Minister McKay said the Greater Sydney Tourism Partnership Funding Program would increase awareness of the depth and variety of experiences Sydney has to offer beyond the city's iconic CBD attractions. The program will focus on promoting Greater Sydney precinctsâ culture, heritage, shopping, dining and nightlife.

Minister McKay stated âthere is huge potential in the Greater Sydney area, and we intend to harness that to encourage visitors to stay longer and as a result, secure local jobs.

"The energy and street life of Greater Sydney is unique and we should be telling that story to visitors. Often the best tourism experiences are those where you can do as the locals do.

"A prime example of a local Sydney council promoting its unique culture and heritage is Cabramatta.

"Cabramatta is a rich and vibrant melting pot of South-East Asian sights, sounds and tastes, and given it is just 60 minutes from the city, it has great tourism appeal."

Minister McKay said the program includes two streams of funding support - for destination marketing campaigns and for event promotion.

"Each year for the next three years $400,000 will be made available to support cooperative destination marketing campaigns and $100,000 will be allocated for grants to assist local precincts promote events which have the potential to attract overnight
visitors from outside of Sydney.

"The program is about giving visitors more reasons to stay longer, supporting tourism jobs throughout Greater Sydney."

Minister McKay added Tourism NSW also has a staff member dedicated to promoting tourism precincts in Greater Sydney.

Image shows the Mt Annan Botanic Garden, Western Sydney

27th June 2008 - NSW TOURISM MUST TRANSFORM