The NSW Government has announced it will invest $530 million in funding for the events and tourism sector. Premier Dominic Perrottet said this package would bring back tourists and supercharge the businesses and attractions that contribute $38 billion to our economy, making the state one of the world’s most popular destinations. 

 

The tourism and events recovery package includes:

  • $250 million for the expanded Stay & Rediscover scheme providing a $50 voucher to all NSW adults to redeem at accommodation premises across NSW.
  • $150 million to support the recovery of major event activity across the state including $50 million for a Regional Events Package to support major events, festivals, agricultural shows and community events across the regions.
  • $60 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney.
  • $6 million to bring business events back to the city.
  • $50 million for the CBDs Revitalisation Program to support events and activations in CBDs across Greater Sydney and surrounds.  
  • An Event Saver Fund to provide immediate support to organisers if events are cancelled or disrupted by any public health orders during the 2021-22 summer.
  • $25 million for the Festival Relaunch package – to stabilise established commercial and not-for-profit festivals, big and small, so they can program with confidence into 2022/23.
  • $10 million for a Recovery Marketing Campaign including an extension of the successful road trips campaign launched in 2020.

Julie Briggs, Chair of Regional Arts NSW, believes this is a huge step forward and RANSW is particularly pleased to see the establishment of the Event Saver Fund, an initiative that RANSW has advocated for with NSW Treasury.

 

“We welcome this injection of funding into regional NSW to boost its recovery from the pandemic. Visitors to regional NSW want to be engaged, excited, and enthralled by the diversity of things to see and do. This can only happen if there is funding available to support the development and delivery of quality tourism products. The arts and cultural sector is fundamental to the provision of those products and we are looking forward to the opportunities this funding will bring to provide work for artists and arts and cultural organisations across regional NSW,” says Ms Briggs.

 

The Fund will allow event producers and promoters to move forward with confidence knowing that there is immediate support if events are cancelled or disrupted by any Public Health orders. RANSW hopes the Fund will act as insurance for organisers, protecting them from losses incurred as a result of these cancellations. 

 

The tourism recovery package is a key part of the NSW Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.