A massive push in underway to lure grey nomads and other travellers to spend more time in regional New South Wales.
The State Government is to invest $43 million over four years in a new strategy that will see it working closely with local government, tourism organisations and operators to improve industry engagement and better develop visitor experiences.
Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres, said six new regional tourism networks would be formed to help reinvigorate the regional tourism sector and create more jobs. He said it would help deliver on the government’s goals to double overnight visitation by 2020.
The new regional networks included Destination Riverina Murray, Destination Southern NSW, Destination North Coast and Destination Country and Outback NSW.
“We want to be able to support the local tourism operators, we want to be able to support the local governments,” said Mr Ayres. “We want to be able to support the local service providers, but we want to make sure that all of the activity is coordinated and that’s the key role of the new destination networks.”
Deputy Premier Troy Grant said the change would put a greater focus on regional and rural tourism.
“It’s giving greater capacity in marketing and collaboration, and more importantly, access to funding that’s been ad hoc at times with a more consistent flow of funding,” he told the ABC. “Regional tourism contributes $6.7 billion to our state and employs 73,900 people. This plan will boost regional investment in tourism and strengthen the operation of our local tourism bodies.”
The previous body responsible for promoting tourism across most of the state’s north and west, Inland NSW, went into administration in April.
Maybe removing all those no camping signs and bollards that have been put in to discourage free camping!
They also need to start providing places for longer vehicles to park. Dunedoo is a great example and then to ensure that toilet facilities are maintained. At Illabo near Junee and the toilets were blocked and over flowing. They had been reported 3 days before but still putrid.
Enjoy parts of inland NSW but places like Maitland with no casual caravan park spaces need to be looked at.