NSW launches ‘Event Saver Fund’ and ‘Festival Relaunch’ package as part of $530m injection into tourism and events

The NSW government will pump $530 million into the state’s tourism and events industries, including dedicated funds for bringing back business events and a festival relaunch package.

The plan includes a $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise airlines to resume flights to Sydney, positioning the city as a gateway for international travel to other states once borders reopen.

Another key element to the plan is injecting $250 million into providing all NSW adults with a $50 voucher to spend at accommodation providers across the state as part of an expanded Stay & Rediscover scheme.

For the events and business travel sector, the plan dedicates $150 million to support the recovery of major event activity across the state, including $50 million for a Regional Events Package to support major events, festivals, agricultural shows and community events across the regions.

Importantly, an Event Saver Fund will provide immediate support to organisers if events are cancelled or disrupted by any public health orders during the 2021-22 summer; however, the state government has not specified how much money will go towards the fund.

The plan will also put $6 million towards attracting business events to cities, $50 million into a CBDs Revitalisation Program and $25 million into a Festival Relaunch package to stabilise established commercial and not-for-profit festivals, big and small, so they can program with confidence into 2022/23.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $530 million package was intended to help bring back tourists and supercharge the businesses and attractions that contribute $38 billion to the economy.

“It’s also great news for people right across our state, reviving events and businesses and bringing our major drawcards back to life,” he said.

“Importantly, more than 300,000 people rely on our tourism industry and our aim is to reclaim our position as one of the world’s favourite destinations.”

The plan will also include a marketing element, with a $10 million recovery campaign, including an extension of the state’s road trips campaign launched in 2020.

Featured image source: iStock/RugliG