The regional NSW visitor economy will be boosted by a share of $5.5 million in grants from the NSW Nationals in the state government to support product development, marketing programs, and business events.
The investment across regional NSW will create jobs, enhance the visitor experience, promote NSW regions as ‘must-visit’ destinations, and stimulate new business event activity that will collectively generate tens of millions in visitor expenditure.
Nationals Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway said the grants would provide a huge boost to the Parkes visitor economy and put businesses, event owners, and the region on the front foot to attract visitors.
“These grants are all about generating future demand for Parkes as a preferred place to visit, for business or leisure,” Mr Farraway said.
“The Parkes Dish Café will receive $10,859 for the purchase of a new outdoor dining table and chairs to further enhance the experience at the Parkes Telescope. The grant will ensure our region flies out of the starting blocks with confidence this holiday season”
In 2019, before the pandemic, overnight visitor expenditure in NSW hit a record level of $35 billion.
The government says the aim is not simply return to that position but to “smash the benchmark” in years to come.
