The Barrington Tops Tourism Initiative to boost tourism to the Barrington Tops and Hunter Valley in NSW was launched last night on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP.
The Barrington Tops Tourism Initiative is a collaborative undertaking by the Australian Government and the Hunter Valley Tourism Organisation. The Initiative covers the Barrington Tops, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Upper Hunter Country and Hunter Valley areas. It will deliver an integrated regional brand campaign to highlight the region, the seventh largest region for domestic day expenditure.
The Barrington Tops Tourism Initiative has received $499,500 in funding from the Australian Government under the Australian Tourism Development Program, which has since been redesigned as TQUAL Grants.
Minister Ferguson said: "Up to $8.5 million is available through TQUAL Grants - a program that aims to encourage quality and innovation, and provide support to businesses and regions which take the initiative to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
"The Barrington Tops Tourism Initiative does exactly that. It brings together stakeholders from across the region and pools resources to maximise the impact of Australian Government funding. It's about getting more 'bang for our buck' and making the most of a region's potential.
"I have launched TQUAL Grants and campaigns such as No Leave, No Life to stimulate Australia's tourism industry by unlocking 123 days of Australian accrued leave. For a regional centre a short drive from Sydney, an extra day here or there can have significant economic benefits.
"The Barrington Tops and Hunter region have enormous tourism potential: world-class wineries, stunning beaches and World Heritage-listed National Parks all under three hours' drive from Sydney.
"The challenge for the region is getting the word out that there's more to see and do than they probably know about. The Barrington Tops Tourism Initiative will help the region meet its enormous potential."