By David Jones | Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Business Sydney | Mob: 0448 285 996
Business Sydney today expressed alarm at a big cut in the State Budget for tourism investment and has called on the NSW Government to urgently restore funding certainty for Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney.
Executive Director, Paul Nicolaou, warned that reduced investment in tourism promotion and major events threatened one of the state’s most important economic sectors.
Mr Nicolaou said: “The visitor economy is vital for Sydney and the entire state because it is a critical driver of jobs, business activity and investment.
“This is not the time to reduce support because tourism is not a cost to governments. It is an investment that delivers significant economic returns, supports thousands of businesses and sustains many jobs.
“At a time when other states are aggressively competing for visitors, major events and international attention, NSW cannot afford to take its foot off the accelerator.”
Mr Nicolaou said the Budget had left both Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney as relative losers.
This was despite the central role the organisations play in attracting visitors, conferences, business events and international investment to the state.
“It is disappointing that no significant funding uplift has been provided to Destination NSW or Business Events Sydney at a time when the competition for visitors and major events has never been greater,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“These organisations are responsible for bringing billions of dollars in visitor expenditure into Sydney. They are economic generators and should be recognised as such.”
Mr Nicolaou said the contribution of both organisations was clear cut:
- Destination NSW has played a pivotal role in positioning Sydney and NSW as premier destinations for domestic and international travellers.
- Business Events Sydney continues to secure high-value conferences and business events that deliver substantial economic benefits and global exposure for NSW.
“The success of our visitor economy has been built on years of strategic investment, strong marketing campaigns and securing world-class events that attract visitors and drive spending,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“Every dollar invested in promoting NSW helps to generate business for hotels, restaurants, retailers, attractions, transport operators and countless small businesses.
“Uncertainty about future funding sends the wrong message to investors, event organisers and tourism operators at a time when confidence and long-term planning are essential.
“The tourism industry plans years ahead and major events are secured years in advance. International marketing campaigns require long-term commitment. Without certainty, NSW risks falling behind competing destinations.”
Mr Nicolaou said the timing was very poor given the opportunities emerging from the growth of international travel, the opening of Western Sydney International Airport and the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“If we want NSW to remain Australia’s premier tourism destination and the nation’s leading destination for business events, we must continue investing in the organisations responsible for bringing visitors, events and economic activity to our state,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“The NSW Government can demonstrate its commitment to tourism, hospitality, events and the broader visitor economy by restoring investment in Destination NSW and ensuring Business Events Sydney has the resources it needs to continue winning major international conferences and events.”
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David is a Walkley Award-winning journalist with a distinguished career spanning more than half a century in print, television and radio journalism, political and corporate affairs and high-level media relations including incident and issues management. Media Enquiries - David Jones M: 0448 285 996