Michael is joined by Greg Binskin, Executive Manager of the NSW Tourism Industry Council, who says the Federal Government’s tourism support package has missed the mark and will fail to avoid major job losses and closures now occurring amongst many small, family run and larger tourism businesses across Sydney and regional NSW.

“NSW’s gateway city – Sydney – is on its knees, devastated by international and domestic border closures, limited major events, business events cancelled and the cruise industry at a standstill for over 12 months,” says Mr Binskin.

“The recent Business NSW Business Conditions Survey indicated that without the direct financial support that JobKeeper provided, there will be the immediate reduction in staffing levels and reduced hours for thousands of workers. Tough times will bring in tough measures.”

“The low-cost loans will go some way to support the visitor economy but asking businesses to go further into debt with no certainty of future revenue is a huge ask for many small business owners who have suffered drought, bushfires, floods, border closures and the pandemic lockdowns.

“We urge the Government to prepare for the post-sale of 800,000 flights to selected priority destinations and consider a Tourism 2.0 package to support capital cities and the supply chain of goods and services that sustains the wider visitor economy.”

“Leaving most of NSW out of this package strands too many regions on the edge of the ‘Covid cliff’. Without the people and products, there may not be the supply side to deal with the demand when we reach the other side of this pandemic,” Mr Binskin said.

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