Tourist board to capitalise on raft of post-Olympic exposure

Tourism new south wales by Teresa machan

Tourist board to capitalise on raft of post-Olympic exposure

Region plays the multi-cultural card for visitors

SYDNEY and New South Wales aim to hold the world’s attention at World Travel Market next week following the huge global exposure from the Olympic Games.

Although the event drew 111,000 international visitors to the city and state, it is estimated that more than three billion TV spectators from 220 countries were tuned in to both the sports and the destination.

Tourism New South Wales now expects an additional 500,000 international visitors by the end of next year simply due to the Games.

Officials forecast that Sydney alone will attract an additional 208,000 arrivals in 2001 and 217,000 in 2002.

These figures support annual estimates of 2.7 million for the state alone next year, rising to three million in 2002 and topping four million in 2006.

But the tourism authority knows it cannot sit back and rest on its laurels.

Regional director of Europe Stuart Rigg said: “Our challenge now is to convert this interest and intrigue into even more visits.”

He added that there has never been a better time to travel and bookings from the UK for next year look promising, with several specialist operators already reporting substantially increased sales over the previous period.

“The 2000 Olympic Games have demonstrated that Sydney is a truly international and multi-cultural city and we urge people to travel and experience it,” said Rigg.

This is part of the message he wants to get over at WTM as Sydney can now show off its new look to tourists, such as the latest hotels and trendy restaurants, Fox Studios Australia, the Homebush Bay Olympics site and other key developments including the new Sydney Airport rapid-transit rail link.

On the up: looking for sales success are Bettina Kramer, marketing manager and Stuart Rigg, regional director – Europe, both from Tourism New South Wales

A year of events

Tourism New South Wales is promoting a series of events being held over next year. They include:

&#42 Sydney New Year celebrations.

&#42 Centenary of Federation, January.

&#42 Sydney Festival, January.

&#42 Sydney Mardi Gras,February-March.

&#42 Hunter Valley Harvest, April.

&#42 Australian Fashion Week, May.

&#42 Yulefest in the Blue Mountains, June-August.

&#42 British Lions Tour, July.

&#42 Feast of Sydney, July.

&#42 Tennis Masters Cup, November.

For details, visit: www.visitnsw.au