More funding for NSW events

INDUSTRY leaders have welcomed the NSW budget handed down this week, including a boost in funding for tourism and business events.

The NSW Government allocated a total of $193 million for the tourism and events sectors, a 10% increase on 2016-17.

Of the total, $95 million is set aside for securing and supporting events in areas spanning entertainment, lifestyle, sports and arts, including $8.1 million for business events.

Tourism & Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the funding would help NSW bolster the visitor economy, grow its reputation and drive more delegates to the state, while at the same time creating and supporting jobs.

“The $8.1 million for business events funding will also support NSW’s ability to further capitalise on its reputation as Australia’s business and major events capital,” Osmond said.

Tourism Accommodation Australia ceo Carol Giuseppi also welcomed the funding, saying the additional investment came at a critical time in the tourism cycle with the new International Convention Centre Sydney recently opened and more than 40 hotels under development.

“This increased level of investment has been instrumental in improving the sustainability of accommodation investment and is particularly important in capitalising on the government’s ground-breaking investment in the International Convention Centre,” she said.