NSW Budget Boost for Major Events

Industry groups in New South Wales have generally welcomed this week’s State Budget for the impetus it will give to tourism in Sydney and beyond. Accommodation Association of Australia CEO, Richard Munro, said the $70 million that will be invested in the NSW events calendar in 2011/12 would have direct benefits for accommodation businesses. He said it was also “pleasing to see specific funding has been allocated to market Sydney, with a priority on increasing the number of visitors from China”. Chairman of Tourism Industry Council NSW, Ken Corbett, said increased regional tourism funding was a key initiative. “Regional Tourism is experiencing challenging times with the high dollar and employment costs leading many Australians to choose an overseas holiday. “This, combined with a decrease in our more traditionally dispersed markets including the UK, Germany and USA, is making it more difficult for products in regional New South Wales,” Corbett said.

(Source: Travelmole.com, September 2011)

NSW Tops Gourmet Traveller Awards

NSW’s credentials as Australia’s leading dining destination have been further endorsed following the State’s dominance in the prestigious Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards which were announced last night at Guillaume at Bennelong.



Seven of the top 10 restaurants in Australia were from Sydney and Sydney held position one with Marque and two with Quay. Forty four of the top 100 restaurants were from NSW.



The award for Restaurant of the Year went to Marque and Porteño was awarded New Restaurant of the Year.



Bar of the Year went to Shady Pines Saloon. The Hemmes family was recognised with an award for Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality and Sommelier of the Year went to Giorgio De Maria from 121BC wine bar.



Regional restaurants such as Vulcans at Blackheath, Lochiel House in Kurrajong Heights and Biota Dining in Bowral were included in the Top 100.



Destination NSW continues to work with leading chefs to help promote the State as part of its Destination Dining Partnership. The chefs include Marque’s Mark Best, Quay’s Peter Gilmore and Rockpool’s Neil Perry.