NSW coalition to pump $45m into tourism

The NSW opposition plans to boost tourism funding by $45 million in a bid to double tourism in the state by 2020, if they win the March 26 election.

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The NSW opposition plans to boost tourism funding by $45 million in a bid to double tourism in the state by 2020, if they win the March 26 election.

The coalition will put $40 million into Destination NSW and $5 million into Regional Tourism Organisations across NSW.

"This is a plan to make NSW the number one tourism destination in Australia and double tourism in our state by 2020," Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said.

Mr O'Farrell said a coalition government will combine the marketing functions of Tourism NSW and Events NSW to create Destination NSW.

The coalition will also establish a visitor economy taskforce to deliver a strategy with industry to double overnight visitor expenditure in NSW by 2020.

"These new initiatives complement our plans to deliver a new world-class convention, hotel and entertainment centre in Darling Harbour and provide a $5 million budget boost to Regional Tourism Organisations across NSW to develop tourism product and attractions," he said.

Mr O'Farrell also blamed Labor for Sydney's failure to cash in on the Olympics - making it the only city to lose tourism share after hosting the games.

"International visitors to Sydney increased by 8.3 per cent in the decade since 2000, but in Melbourne it increased by 40.5 per cent over the same time period," he said.


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Source: AAP


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NSW coalition to pump $45m into tourism | SBS News