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$3 MILLION BOOST FOR THE REGIONAL
NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The NSW Government is giving the state’s regional visitor economy a $3 million boost through a funding program to support the development of new attractions and visitor infrastructure and to refresh existing tourism products.
The Destination NSW program will help businesses and regional communities recover from the impact of drought, floods, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic by creating jobs, enhancing the appeal of regional NSW, and improving the quality of the visitor experience.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Tourism Product Development Fund would help position the NSW visitor economy for long-term growth.
“NSW is open for business and welcoming visitors, and business owners and entrepreneurs are hungry for growth and new opportunities – this program will help visitor economy stakeholders to achieve just that.
“We may be operating in a new, COVID-safe environment but the desire to travel and have new experiences is stronger than ever,” Minister Ayres said.
The Tourism Product Development Fund comprises two streams:
- Refresh and Renew Fund: offering $10,000 grants to regional tourism operators to update their product or experience
- Experience Enhancement Fund: provides between $50,000 and $150,000 in matched funding to assist operators upgrade existing accommodation to be 4 to 5-star, upgrade business and leisure event venues and facilities, repurpose existing infrastructure to provide new facilities or experiences not currently available within the destination, or to create new tourism attractions or experiences
Applications are now open and close on 31 March 2021. For information and to apply visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/product-development-fund
$2.5 MILLION CAMPAIGN PUTS SPOTLIGHT
ON GREATER SYDNEY
Greater Sydney is the star of an omnichannel $2.5 million tourism campaign inviting residents to fall in love with their city again and give local businesses a much-needed boost.
Destination NSW’s Sydney Love It Like You Mean It campaign, which kicked off the NSW Government’s CBD revitalisation program late last year, is an invitation to Sydneysiders to enjoy a rejuvenating staycation or a fun-filled day or night out to see a musical, a live performance or an exhibition; to shop, dine or visit one of the many attractions.
The campaign is now in market, including a new television commercial that debuted during the Australian Open broadcast at the weekend. The full campaign schedule includes radio, billboards, digital and social advertising and features a diverse mix of experiences and attractions right across Greater Sydney.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government was committed to restoring vibrancy to Greater Sydney and helping businesses impacted by COVID-19 quickly get back on track.
“The more Sydneysiders who book a multi-day staycation in the city, or get out and enjoy a meal, a performance, indulge in retail therapy or visit the many attractions, the faster business confidence will be restored, as those tills start ringing again,” Minister Ayres said.
In a first for this Sydney campaign, the second wave of marketing activity will also include content released in Cantonese, Mandarin and Arabic to appeal to a wider audience through these community languages.
The first burst of the campaign in late 2020 directly generated more than 42,000 leads to Sydney business websites.
For Sydney travel inspiration, go to www.sydney.com/love-sydney.
FUNDING BOOST TO HELP REGIONAL
BUSINESS EVENTS BOUNCE BACK
Grants of up to $30,000 are now available for the NSW regional business events sector, thanks to a NSW Government funding boost which aims to turbocharge local economies and create more jobs.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the opening of the $500,000 NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund could not have come at a better time, as the return of more face-to-face events ramps up following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been incredibly tough for our business events sector, but now is the time to turn that around by restoring confidence back into the industry.
“People have a strong desire to build business connections in-person, while still taking advantage of virtual events, and our funding program is designed to support this new hybrid event environment,” Minister Ayres said.
Mr Ayres said whether business events were looking for assistance with venue hire, marketing or developing pre and post touring opportunities to encourage longer stays in NSW, the program would play a critical part in the state’s economic recovery.
“Regional NSW has so many great locations and venues to host events and for the first time since the program’s launch, I’m delighted to announce that the NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is open to events in Newcastle and Wollongong.
“I encourage new or existing business events to work with Destination NSW to identify ways they can grow and promote their conference or business event in this state.”
Applications for the NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund are now open and close on 30 April. For more information and to apply, go to www.meetinnsw.com.au.
