Shadow Minister Media Releases
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TOURISM CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT LOCAL TOURIST INDUSTRY IN TIME OF NEED ( 17/01/2008)
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Don Page MP, today called on the NSW Minister for Tourism to come to the aide of the North Coast Tourism Industry.
Mr Page said that the recent flood and consistent rain has had an enormous detrimental impact on local tourism.
“With many tourists staying away due to the flood or people cutting their holiday short because of the constant rain, many local businesses are suffering.
“This is the peak tourism season for this area. Many businesses rely on this period to get them through the quieter winter months,” he said.
“I am calling on the Minister for Tourism to undertake a promotional campaign to get the tourists back to this area. Not just for the Easter holiday break but between now and then.
“Promotion of the area for short breaks will also help to boost the tourism industry throughout the year and not just for the peak holiday seasons.”
“We need to announce to the rest of Australia that the North Coast is open and ready for business,” he said.
Mr Page said Northern Rivers Tourism is preparing a submission for assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief Scheme. “A key form of assistance would be a marketing strategy to recover lost business,” Mr Page said. Tourism operators with information on their lost business should contact Russell Mills, Northern Rivers Tourism on 6688 6217.
The fish kill that struck the Richmond River this week will have further detrimental affects on tourism and long term ramifications for the fishing industry.
“The North Coast is known for it’s fishing and fresh seafood. With no fresh local fish for the immediate future, the local fisherman, restaurants and seafood outlets will suffer. Recreational fishing has also been seriously affected and with the closure of the Richmond River this will continue for some time yet.
“Promoting the many appealing features of the North Coast will help the local tourism industry get through this difficult period. The public need to be made aware that the devastating images they have seen on their news bulletins and in newspapers are isolated and that the clean up and recovery is well underway.”
“I call on the Tourism Minister to help the North Coast Tourism Industry in it’s time of need,” Mr Page said.
