8 JUN: An ambitious plan to double NSW tourism by 2020 will be unveiled today.
The state government will announce the formation of a body called the Visitor Economy Taskforce, which will have the job of developing a new tourism strategy, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Its report will in turn guide the work of another new body, Destination NSW, which will take over responsibility for existing groups like Events NSW and Tourism NSW..
The overall aim is to find out what what kind of tourism infrastructure is needed in the state, including new venues.
"We’re looking at where the economy needs to be stimulated to generate tourism, bed nights, restaurant meals and regional tourism", Tourism and Major Events Minister George Souris told the SMH.
The paper say Destination NSW will get a new chief executive and additional funding of $45m, bringing its total budget to $400m.
It quotes Mr Souris as saying that legislation to create Destination NSW still has to go through the joint party room, but he hopes that will happen before Parliament’s winter break.
Mr Souris says tourism and events are worth $28 billion a year to NSW, supporting 160,000 jobs.
