The hotel industry is pleased with the announcement of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy, unveiled at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia meeting in Perth yesterday.

Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson announced $1.9 million in TQUAL Grand funding for 19 projects throughout Sydney and Regional NSW. TQUAL grants aim to stimulate sustainable tourism growth by supporting innovative, high quality product.

“The NSW Government has made a strong commitment and investment in the

development of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy," said Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay.

“The National Strategy is aligned with the State’s own Tourism Strategy, announced last year and underpinned by an additional $40m over three and a half years."

“Under the NSW Tourism Strategy, the NSW Government is working closely with the State’s tourism industry to develop a comprehensive Tourism Industry Plan to build firm foundations for the sector’s success in the coming years."

The National Long-Term Tourism Strategy provides a work plan for

skills, infrastructure and removing barriers to investment, giving investors greater confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects. The work plan includes better research for the industry and improving regulation to encourage more tourism investment.