BOOSTING BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURISM  

Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, has told Blue Mountains tourism businesses that international visitor numbers have continued to recover, with February 2024 arrivals at 93 percent of the pre-COVID levels. 

The Tourism Minister made the comments at a roundtable of upper Mountains tourism businesses from Mt Victoria to Leura, hosted by Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, held at the Fairmont Resort. 

“The Blue Mountains are an iconic, spectacular destination with a wealth of cultural and natural heritage and attractions,” Minister Farrell said. 

“Our tourism industry is a mainstay of the local economy, and international tourism is a key part of it,” Ms Templeman said.  

“I am pleased to have been able to have the Minister provide the update and give a range of tourism industry providers the opportunity to speak directly with him.” 

Among the issues discussed were skilled worker shortages, the role of international students in the hospitality sector, and the infrastructure challenges for tourism growth, as well as the particular challenges for Megalong tourism. 

“On top of the impacts of Covid, the Blue Mountains tourism sector has had to deal with bushfire, landslides and storms in recent years, plus pressures on domestic tourists due to cost of living pressures, and that has made what is already a challenging industry even less predictable,” Ms Templeman said. 

“One of our aims, at the federal level, has been to have international visitors flying back into Australia, including heading outside the city, and the targets that were set for Thrive are on track,” she said.

“The Federal Government is committed to boosting Australia’s tourism sector, and we’re providing funding for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme that enables Chinese group tours to visit Australian destinations, like the upper mountains.”  

Minister Farrell said it was great to hear from operators about the opportunities and potential they see for the region’s tourism sector to grow.  

“But we know there will also be challenges, including building a workforce to cater for the number of visitors,” he said

“The Albanese Government is funding the $1.4 million Choose Tourism program delivered by Destination NSW, to encourage more people to pursue a career in tourism, a sector that supports so many diverse and exciting jobs in amazing locations.” 

Senator Farrell also met with Uncle David King. “David generously shared stories that connected us to country - an experience I like every visitor to the Mountains to have,” Ms Templeman said. 

“I appreciate time of the businesses and Chamber representatives who joined us to highlight the unique needs and opportunities for Blue Mountains tourism,” said Ms Templeman.