Shadow Minister Media Releases
FAMILIES URGED TO CONSIDER HOLIDAY ALTERNATIVES – NOT CANCELLING ALTOGETHER ( 05/08/2008)
The release today of the NRMA survey of travel habits has highlighted a decline in visitor numbers to some of the most famous attractions in New South Wales due to the increased cost of fuel.
“I am concerned about the affect the cost of fuel is having on regional tourism in NSW,” Shadow Minister for Tourism, Don Page said.
“Regional tourism is doing it tough and has been severely neglected by the State Labor Government over the past 8 years.
“The statistics gathered in the NRMA survey indicate a further decline for the industry to overcome, which is of great concern,” he said.
“I urge people to continue supporting regional tourism in NSW. I hope they will consider taking their family holiday closer to home or for a shorter period of time. By doing this they can reduce the impact of fuel costs on their holiday while still supporting the NSW tourism industry.
“Many businesses in NSW rely on tourism as a major source of income. It isn’t just traditional tourism businesses that are affected. It’s the corner stores, newsagents and general retailers who all feel the affects of a decrease in visitor numbers.
“Regional and rural communities feel the impact of a downturn in visitors more broadly than metropolitan centres,” he said.
The NRMA survey reported that 70 per cent of respondents would spend around $500 less on their holiday due to fuel costs.
“This is particularly worrying when you consider the latest figures show that 84.2% of visitors to the Northern Rivers travel by car,” Mr Page said.
“The impact of every dollar not spent in a regional community is keenly felt. Many regional and rural areas that rely heavily on tourism are facing potential job losses. These areas are usually already suffering employment shortages,” he said.
“I urge people to consider shorter or closer holidays rather than cancelling altogether because of fuel hikes,” Mr Page said.
Mr Page said that the State Government had rested on its laurels following the Sydney Olympics eight years ago and continues to under-estimate the importance and value of tourism in regional New South Wales.
“The Iemma Government needs to act on a key recommendation from the O’Neill report, which recommended $21.1million specifically allocated to regional tourism in 2008-09.
“The State Government needs to invest in our major regional centres but it seems that Sydney is the focus of all the attention from the Iemma Government,” Mr Page said.
