The stunning array of NSW national parks will take centre stage in a regional tourism campaign designed to lure Australians keen on travelling after pandemic restrictions.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service and Destination NSW tourism marketing blitz is encouraging interstate travellers to hike and bike at Tomaree National Park, bask in the surreal rock formations at the Warrumbungles, and ski down Mt Kosciuszko’s slopes.
Environment Minister James Griffin says the regional tourism campaign will focus on the state’s abundance of national parks.
“With more than 890 diverse national parks and reserves, we know that NSW is the national parks capital of Australia, but research suggests that our national parks aren’t quite as well known as parks in other states,” he said on Thursday.
“Our aim is for visitors to fall in love with our spectacular regions, arriving at our national parks as tourists and leaving as conservationists.”
Mr Griffin said national parks contribute $18 billion in visitor expenditure to the state’s economy annually and support 74,000 jobs, with the economic benefits felt particularly in rural and regional areas.
The national campaign will be rolled out across television, digital media and billboards in Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and Sydney starting from 4 November.
Tourism Minister Ben Franklin says the campaign is needed more than ever as vast swathes of the state are inundated with floods yet again.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of many regional and rural communities,” he said.
“Our national parks are perfectly positioned to support regional economic recovery and assist communities that have endured drought, bushfires, flooding and a pandemic.”
The government is investing $450 million for more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects state wide by 2024.
These have included 755 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and mountain-biking tracks, 61 new or improved picnic and visitor areas, and 36 campground upgrades.
