With the Sydney Olympics on the horizon, tourism opportunities are expected to expand, particularly in New South Wales. How the tourist dollar is distributed will depend on specific programs and initiatives in place.
Concerned that tourism promotional strategies are largely focusing on Sydney and coastal areas, five Councils in New South Wales’ Central West have joined together to promote their region.
In November last year, representatives from Bathurst, Blayney, Evans, Lithgow and Oberon Councils and local tourist operators, met with the Minister for Tourism and tourism leaders to discuss their concerns.
The delegation, organised by Member for Bathurst, Mick Clough, included a promotional display at Parliament and lunch meeting with the Minister, Premier and industry representatives.
Issues raised by delegates included a downturn in domestic tourism, the priorities of Tourism New South Wales in its promotional campaigns and the lack of facilities in Sydney for promoting regional tourism exacerbating the isolation of country operators.
Delegates were able to point out several aspects of current tourism promotion which mitigate against regional areas. These included the reliance of country operators on self drive visitors who do not generally use travel agents, the costs of participating in promotional campaigns weighing disproportionately on smaller operators and the limited resources allocated to promoting country areas.
These difficulties, largely brought about through isolation, have not been helped by a recent Tourism Task Force recommendation that regional airlines access to Kingsford Smith Airport be reduced.
The delegation had the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the people best able to redress problems and to network with other players in the industry. Delegates were buoyed by the positive tone of the talks and felt that their concerns will influence future decision making. Already package tours to country districts are being arranged through City travel agents.
For further information contact Mayor Ian Macintosh, Bathurst City Council, telephone (063) 33 6205.
