Industry groups have welcomed a new report, which recommends improvements to NSW’s accommodation and aviation sectors in order to reach the industry’s 2020 targets.
Released by NSW for Tourism George Souris today, the Visitor Economy Taskforce report estimates the industry’s 2020 target to double overnight visitor expenditure will fall $13 billion short if the tourism industry continues on its current path.
Outlined in a 200 page document, the final report includes 48 recommendations and 171 ‘action items’ to curb the trend, such as improvements to cruise ship access, easing of curfews at Sydney Airport and further investment in regional tourism.
The report also warned accommodation in Sydney would continue to become “increasingly more expensive and uncompetitive” unless capacity growth was found.
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) chief executive John Lee applauded the report for recognising current shortfalls in the accommodation sector, noting that occupancy rates were currently sitting above 86%.
“The taskforce’s final report rightfully recognises the state will not be able to meet its tourism expenditure targets if capacity constraints are not addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW warned that additional capacity could create a “boom and bust” effect, similar to the 2000 Olympics.
“[This report] is a great start… but we remain concerned at any artificial simulation of supply,” TAA NSW director Carol Giuseppi said. “Any growth in supply needs to be sustained by investment and growth in demand.”
TAA NSW conceeds that an additional 500 rooms per year will be sufficient to meet demand.
