Now's the Time to Love NSW - $10 Million Tourism Recovery Package

NSW tourism will receive a welcome boost through a Tourism Recovery package to encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.

Member for Manly James Griffin has welcomed the NSW Government’s $10 million Tourism Recovery package and said that regional New South Wales has many fantastic experiences and attractions for visitors from the Northern Beaches.

“We know how important the visitor economy is to our local businesses during the summer months, so we’re keen to see our own residents exploring and spending their holiday dollars to support NSW,” Mr Griffin said.

“This Tourism Recovery package will provide tactical support to help many businesses and operators in regional NSW get back on their feet.

“Why not finish or start a holiday in NSW at our best beach – Manly.”

Phase one of the package includes a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – urging travellers to book a getaway which gives back.

Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the new campaign, developed by the state’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, taps into the outpouring of public support in the wake of the bushfires.

“The prolonged drought and unprecedented bushfires have broken our hearts and had a devastating impact on thousands of tourism operators in our beautiful state,” Mr Ayres said.

“That’s why now’s the time to love NSW – we need to show the world that our many spectacular sights and experiences are in great shape, and they’re welcoming visitors right now.”

People are being invited to take a #RecoveryWeekend in NSW, stay and spend locally, take photos showcasing NSW featuring hands in the shape of a heart and share them on social media with the tag #LoveNSW generating authentic, real-time imagery of NSW’s many holiday destinations.

The $10 million package includes partnership campaigns with Qantas Airways, Accor, Webjet, TripAdvisor and Tigerair and a $1 million regional events program to support flagship events and a new stream of micro events.

Now’s The Time To Love NSW builds on and complements Tourism Australia’s recently launched Holiday Here This Year domestic tourism campaign and is funded by both State and Federal investments.