Archive for the ‘Media Releases’ Category

The Tourism Industry Council NSW’s General Manager, Andrew Jefferies has called for common sense to prevail in the second Sydney Airport debate.
 
“We believe the current debate has been too heavily focused on politics and marginal seats and one that ignores the realities and needs of the New South Wales economy, the wider tourism industry and the operational realities of Sydney Airport.” Mr Jefferies said.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s failure to act upon the contents of the joint Federal and New South Wales Government’s report into aviation access for the Sydney region will overwhelmingly define his legacy, the General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Andrew Jefferies has said this morning.

The report, released a few weeks ago by a committee including business and tourism leaders and representatives of the State and Federal Governments found that the 80 movements an hour cap at Sydney Airport should be relaxed and that planning should immediately commence for a second airport in the Sydney basin.

The first flight into Sydney of the Malaysian based low cost carrier, Air Asia X heralds an exciting new era for international low cost travel to New South Wales, the General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Andrew Jefferies has said today.

Air Asia X, the long haul, low cost offshoot of successful Air Asia commenced daily services to Sydney Airport yesterday, a move that will inject a further $138 Million into the New South Wales economy each year.  

“The Tourism Industry Council applauds the combined efforts of the New South Wales Government, Destination NSW and Sydney Airport to construct a two year marketing partnership that will help to increase tourism numbers to Sydney and New South Wales and promotes key markets such as Malaysia, China and Singapore”, said Mr Jefferies.

A whole of Government solution is required for enhanced cruise ship access to Sydney’s Garden Island naval facility, the General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Andrew Jefferies has said.
 
The Federal Government’s review of enhanced cruise ship access to Sydney’s Garden Island has recommended that cruise ship and naval activities are incompatible on a long term basis and that national security requirements should not be surrendered to the seasonal commercial interests of the cruise ship industry.

The New South Wales Government’s purchase of Metro Transport Sydney, the owner of the Sydney Monorail and Light Rail Systems “will lead to a new light rail future for Sydney”, General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Mr Andrew Jefferies said this morning.

The announcement, made on Friday, by Premier O’Farrell and the Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian, sees the NSW Government acquire Metro Transport Sydney, a Tourism Industry Council NSW member, for $19.8 million, allowing the integration of the light rail line into the greater transport network and simplifying arrangements for future expansion of the light rail network through the Central Business District, Sydney University and out to the University of New South Wales, via the Moore Park precinct and Randwick Racecourse.

Plans to convert historic government owned buildings into new hotel investments to meet the demand for accommodation in the Sydney Central Business District are a great initiative and an example of “outside the square” thinking, General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Andrew Jefferies said.

Historic sandstone structures such as the Department of Planning Building on Bridge Street and the Lands Building adjacent to Hyde Park could be transformed into new boutique hotels that could save taxpayers millions of dollars on the maintenance of the older buildings and provide a boost in new accommodation stock within the Central Business District.

News that the Independent review of enhanced cruise access to Garden Island will recommend that the Navy share its Garden Island wharf facility with international cruise ships arriving into Sydney is “a smart decision for tourism”, General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Andrew Jefferies has said today.

Named after one of Australia’s first tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs, our newest member the William Blue College of Hospitality Management has a reputation for developing the next generation of leaders into the hospitality industry.

Currently in their 22nd year of operation the college offers courses in business, tourism, hospitality and event management with both on campus and external study options available. Industry partnerships are actively sought and encouraged by the college in order to provide a valuable currency of skills and competencies.

Located in the business district of North Sydney the college equips students with the skills and knowledge to begin their careers within the industry.

For further information on William Blue College of Hospitality Management please visit www.williamblue.edu.au/

Findings from the joint Federal and New South Wales Government study into Aviation capacity for the Sydney region highlights the potential devastation felt by the New South Wales and Australian economies without urgent decisions from Government, General Manager of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Mr Andrew Jefferies has said.

Some of the report’s key findings state;

• Australia is set to lose $6B in GDP by 2035, $2.3B in New South Wales
• By 2060, $60B will be lost in forgone expenditure, $30B in New South Wales alone
• Without additional capacity, demand will exceed capacity by 54 million passenger movements and 760,000 tonnes of freight
• Current slot restrictions at Sydney Airport mean no new flights can be allocated by 2027
• Badgery’s Creek is still identified as the best solution to solve the needs of the Sydney region.