A $500 million support package for events and tourism industries is hoped to kickstart travel out to regional NSW.
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The package will offer each adult in NSW a $50 voucher to use at accommodation anywhere in the state, as well as providing immediate help should events be planned and subsequently cancelled due to a public health order.
Business NSW Regional Manager Anthony McFarlane said that the Event Saver fund would hopefully inspire confidence in events again after so many had to be postponed or cancelled this year.
"The uncertainty of snap lockdowns has crippled the events industry in the Murray Riverina; this new fund will allow organisers to start planning today for a cracking summer," Mr McFarlane said.
"This will in turn encourage more visitor spending, providing social and economic benefits to all those towns and villages who have tourism and events as a key source of income."
Robert Fiumara, a winemaker at Lillypilly Wines in Leeton said that anything to encourage tourism again was welcomed.
"Any tourism will help us," he said.
"We've been doing mail-order and some of our customers have been doing that. It's good, but we've been missing out on the people coming round to the cellar door."
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Mr Fiumara added that the winery was keen to see events but wouldn't be hosting any themselves right now.
"Before the lockdown, we had a large event on here at the winery and for the first time, we had entertainers come. That was organised by Chant Du Vin, that was a really successful event so we're open to that sort of thing," he explained.
"It's got to fit in with the facilities we have. Certain things would work okay, our main focus is to grow grapes and make wines though ... It definitely would be great to see any extra tourism bringing people to the area. Hopefully they'll come and visit the winery," Mr Fiumara added.
Mr McFarlane said "What is particularly pleasing is this is not a Sydney centric package but recognises that all of NSW has a part to play in the economic recovery through regional events and tourism."
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