The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced $42,000 in funding for the Bradman Museum International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral NSW.
In partnership with the Bradman Foundation and Bradman Museum, the Australian Government through the TQUAL Grants Program is contributing $20,000 for planning to ensure the hall of fame is afforded long term financial stability.
Minister Ferguson said: "The expansion of the Bradman Museum to include the International Cricket Hall of Fame, the world's first ever fully interactive, permanent cricket exhibition will help capture the hearts and minds of cricket enthusiasts across Australia and internationally. It will bring to life the history and heritage of cricket and the story of Don Bradman with contemporary exhibitions and displays.
"The Museum currently attracts almost 25,000 visitors a year and provides an important draw card for the Southern Highlands. The support by the Australian Government will assist the Museum to attract even more visitors to support the long term viability of this iconic attraction.
The Bradman Foundation conceived the idea of creating an International Cricket Hall of Fame as one of a new range of displays and facilities at the Bradman Museum to give the greater international recognition and status. In 2007, to celebrate the centenary of Sir Donald Bradman's birth, the Australian Government provided a $6.5 million contribution to fund the museum expansion.
Minister Ferguson said: "The International Cricket Hall of Fame has the potential to become an international tourism icon, bringing more visitors and increased spending to the local community and assisting with tourism employment. With a strategic plan in place, we are ensuring that the community of Bowral and the Southern Highlands can make the most of this tourism asset."
Through the TQUAL Grants program the Australian Government is investing almost $8.3 million towards 70 tourism projects across Australia. These targeted investments assist the industry to explore new market opportunities, expand the range of services they can offer, promote growth and contribute to job creation throughout the Australian tourism industry.
Minister Ferguson said: "Tourism Australia's latest $150 global marketing campaign 'There's Nothing Like Australia' offers regions like the Southern Highlands the chance to showcase their attractions to the world. The campaign calls on everyone to upload and share their unique Australian experiences to the campaign website www.nothinglikeaustralia.com. To date, over 6000 people have participated in the campaign.
The Australian Government is also investing in tourism marketing to support further growth in domestic visitor numbers. In Australia, workers have accumulated 123 million days of annual leave, worth $33 billion in wages. The Australian Government and Tourism Australia's 'No Leave No Life' campaign encourages workers to use their leave for an Australian holiday.
Minister Ferguson said: "Tourism is a $170 million industry for the Southern Highlands. It is the largest employer in the region with more than 2000 employed in more than 1300 tourism businesses.
"The Southern Highlands is perfectly positioned to cash in on the short break market out of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra. The Australian Government and Tourism Australia's marketing efforts can assist in prising Australian workers from their work-stations to explore the wealth of tourism attractions in Australia- including those here in the Southern Highlands such as the Bradman Museum, Fitzroy Falls, Berrima Court House, the Illawarra Fly and the many other local tourism experiences."
"Along with our commitment to tourism marketing, we have set an ambitious policy and reform agenda for the tourism industry. In the coming months the Australian Government will be announcing a range of initiatives aimed at improving the productivity and international competitiveness of our tourism industry.
The significance of tourism across Australia is recognised in the Australian Government's National Long-Term Tourism Strategy, which, in partnership with industry and state and territory governments, aims to improve product quality and accreditation, build a skilled and innovative workforce, unlock investment in infrastructure, and make the most of our natural competitive advantages such as our landscapes and indigenous and cultural heritage.
Tourism employs over 160,000 people and contributes almost $14 billion to the New South Wales economy.