19 July $35 Million cut to state tourism promotion highly disappointing and a false economy July 19, 2019 By Accommodation Association General state, tourism, economy 0 18 June 2019 The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has described a $35 million cut to funding for tourism promotion announced in today’s State budget as highly disappointing and puts the State at risk of losing momentum, in an increasingly competitive domestic market for the tourism dollar.TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said that she understood the need for NSW to tighten its belt given the softening of the property market and its impact on economic growth, but cuts to an industry which has continued to grow its contribution to the State were a false economy.“It’s disheartening and short-sighted that NSW’s tourism industry which is the envy of the other states has had to bear some of the burden of the necessary fiscal restraint,” Ms Osmond said.“The competition between states for the tourism dollar – both from International and Domestic visitors – is fierce and in an environment where the state’s main competitors Victoria and Queensland are either maintaining or increasing their investment in destination marketing, the decrease in funding for Destination NSW puts it at a distinct disadvantage.“While the numbers and yield continue to grow NSW can’t afford to be complacent or take it’s foot of the gas otherwise the State risks falling behind the competitors and losing the mantle of Australia’s number one tourism state.”Ms Osmond said the decrease in funding for Destination NSW would also have an impact on business events attraction which is concerning given the known economic benefits of attracting international conventions and exhibitions and the high yielding business traveller.“NSW has only recently opened a fabulous new state of the art convention centre at Darling Harbour and funding is crucial in continuing to fill it year in year out.“There are a number of hotel developments in the pipeline and the convention market will be critical in ensuring the success of these new ventures.We are also in the process of building new stadiums and facilities and funding is crucial to fill these venues year in and year out.”TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond will be available for further comment at the Tree of Knowledge, NSW Parliament at 2pm.For further information please contact TTF Media and Communications Manager Anna Wallin on 0408 832 999 or email awallin@ttf.org.au Related Articles $76 million Tourism Bushfire Recovery Package The Federal Government announced a $76 million tourism recovery package on the 20 January in response to requests for support from the tourism sector. This included Our plan to back Australia's tourism industry and create more jobs Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment, Simon Birmingham, says a re-elected Morrison Government will continue to grow Australia's $136 billion tourism industry as part of our plan to keep the economy strong and generate another 1.25 million jobs across Australia Investing in regional tourism Will Hodgman, Premier & Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, says tourism fuels our state's economy and contributes more than $3 billion to gross state product, while supporting around 38,000 jobs - 15.6% of total employment across the state. AAoA VIC State Advisory Board met with The Minister for Tourism, Sport & Major Events The Accommodation Association Victorian State Advisory Board and members met with the Hon Martin Pakula MP, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events at the newly opened Novotel Melbourne Central Hotel signature restaurant "Pretty Boy Italian Steak House" Daydream island reopening a milestone for Queensland Tourism (QLD) Assistant State Development Minister and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert has officially opened the $140 million Daydream Island resort in the Whitsundays. Victoria Tourism Industry Council congratulates Scott Morrison The Victoria Tourism Industry Council congratulates the Hon Scott Morrison MP, and the Liberal National Coalition team, on their success in the 2019 federal election. VTIC looks forward to working with the re-elected Coalition government as it develops policies to grow the Victorian tourism, hospitality and events industry over the next four years. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.