The investment in events and tourism in today’s NSW Budget will help to drive sustainable economic growth and employment across New South Wales, according to peak industry body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

The NSW Governement has allocated $8.2 million to boost the tourism industry that will help bring about sustainable ecomic growth and employment across NSW

TTF Chief Executive John Lee said the new focus on events will help to create economic activity.

“Attracting special events like art exhibitions, world premiere musicals and other unique experiences will entice people to visit Sydney and New South Wales,”  Lee said. “This drives tourism spending which supports employment in tourism and hospitality.”

“We look forward to the maintenance of this commitment in years to come to support the strategy of using events as a key driver of tourism for Sydney and New South Wales.

“New events can take some time to become established, so it is important that they receive ongoing funding to allow that to occur.

“We also welcome the commitment to continuing investment in airline partnership programs to increase international visitation to New South Wales and look forward to further progress on the expansion of convention and exhibition facilities at both Darling Harbour and Sydney Olympic Park.”

 Lee said the budget also supports the new agency, Destination NSW.

“In concert with the Visitor Economy Taskforce, Destination NSW will be responsible for doubling overnight tourism expenditure by 2020,” Mr Lee said, “and it is vital the agency is provided with adequate ongoing funding to achieve that goal.”

“The allocation of $8.2 million for targeted marketing and promotion in international growth markets like China will also be critical to the state’s chances of reaching that objective.”