Millions of extra airline seats, tens of thousands of hotel rooms and a focus on experience-led tourism will transform the state’s visitor economy into a $91 billion powerhouse as set out in a government review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy.
On Tuesday, October 8, the NSW Premier Chris Minns and his Tourism Minister John Graham have set ambitious targets for the visitor economy.
Business Sydney, Business NSW and Business Western Sydney were proud to host the release of the strategy and publicly support the NSW Government plans going forward.
The Government has adopted the more ambitious goal of $91 billion in annual visitor economy expenditure by 2035 – a 40% increase on the original goal.
Such a strong growth trajectory will further cement tourism as a critical pillar of future growth in the NSW economy, driving up to 150,000 new jobs by 2035.
The strategy identifies key challenges including:
- The need for 40,000 extra hotel rooms, a 41% increase on what’s currently available.
- Significant worker and skills shortages in roles such as tour guides and chefs.
- Need for increased business event facilities in Sydney, Western Sydney and priority regional areas.
The Premier said “We are ready to put our shoulder to the wheel and attract even more travellers to NSW, boosting local business and creating thousands of jobs.”
Minister John Graham said “NSW has the nature, the culture and incredible experiences. We just need to match it with hard work and planning.”
The Executive Director of Business Sydney Paul Nicolaou said it’s time to “confirm the international appeal of the experiences on offer in Sydney.”
“Last week Sydney was voted the ‘best city in the world’ in the Condè Nast Traveller UK’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards The poll cited Sydney’s ‘unique, indoor-outdoor way of life’ which speaks directly to the review’s recommendation to focus the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy on ‘experience tourism’,” he added.
“Business Sydney fully supports the State Government’s plans and will work with all stakeholders to help achieve the goals and objectives of the review.”
