NSW events and tourism sector receives $530 million boost  

With New South Wales having reached a number of vaccination milestones, the state government is giving the events and tourism sector a major boost with a $530 million investment aimed at helping these ailing sectors as they emerge from a lengthy COVID shutdown.

The $530 million investment aims to revive events and tourism across the state with the package including:

• $250 million for the expanded Stay & Rediscover scheme providing a $50 voucher to all NSW adults to redeem at accommodation premises across NSW;

• $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.

• $60 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney;

• $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; and

• 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.

• $10 million for a Recovery Marketing Campaign including an extension of the successful roadtrips campaign launched in 2020

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said this package would bring back tourists and supercharge the businesses and attractions that contribute $38 billion to our economy, making the state one of the world’s most popular destinations.

Premier Perrottet notes “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.

“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.”

NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the much needed investment will help revive shuttered businesses and bring tourism providers back to their vibrant best.

Minister Ayres notes “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.

“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.”