Swap country trips for local ‘playcation’: Tourism boss
Tourism leaders are urging Sydneysiders to invest their travel dollars in their own backyard.
NSW
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Sydneysiders have been urged to shower their city with the same love they have given the regions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Destination NSW boss Steve Cox said international and interstate border closures had a massive impact on Sydney’s tourism economy, which relies heavily on traveller dollars.
Mr Cox said while locals have headed to the country in record numbers, the CBD has
been left struggling after employees began working from home.
Data from Destination NSW shows Sydney had the largest reliance on international tourism in the nation, with 23 per cent of all overnight visitors coming from overseas.
“The combined effect of international and domestic border closures, less people working in the city and restrictions on movements, has had a huge impact on Sydney and the rest of NSW,” he said.
“Sydneysiders have gone out to the regions and visited but Sydney itself is suffering. Sydney greatly relies on international travellers and the business sector both of which have struggled.
“We are of all the capital cities in Australia, the most impacted.”
But Mr Cox said the gap in tourists was the perfect chance for locals to explore the different ethnic and cultural hubs around the city.
“This is one of the most multicultural cities in the entire world. We have the largest multicultural community in Australia with 32 per cent of our population born overseas,” he said.
“Get out and look at what’s on in Marrickville or Bankstown or Western Sydney Parklands. We are encouraging Sydneysiders to learn more about their city,’’ Mr Cox said.
Mr Cox said while locals wait on international travel restrictions to ease, there are many world-leading experiences they can enjoy in their own backyard.
“We’ve got over 100 beaches in Sydney, we’ve got the third busiest opera company in the world with Opera Australia, we have the deepest natural harbour in the world,” he said.
“There are just so many things for people to see and do. We encourage everyone to take their family and book a playcation in their own city.”
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