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Budget The continuation of strong support for tourism and major events in NSW has been reflected in this week's NSW state budget, which is being welcomed by the accommodation industry.

The Accommodation Association of Australia says commitments by the O'Farrell government of $125 million per year for the next four years to Destination NSW, a $377 million boost for the arts/cultural sector and a 50% increase in funding for the Small Biz Connect program are set to have a positive impact.
"The NSW government rightly recognises that there is enormous economic potential from increasing visitor numbers to NSW and from lifting the level of intrastate tourism," said the chief executive officer of the Accommodation Association of Australia, Richard Munro.
"The initiatives announced as part of the state budget set NSW up to realise this potential and the benefits from this will inevitably flow to accommodation businesses. Sydney is a focal point for both the state of NSW and the whole of Australia, therefore it's a credit to the government, including tourism minister George Souris, for putting its 'money where its mouth is' to support tourism.
"Accommodation businesses will also directly benefit from the funding for the arts/cultural sector because the proposed upgrades to the Opera House, State Library, Art Gallery and the Australian and Powerhouse Museums will improve the overall NSW tourism product.
"For the government to maintain its focus on supporting regional NSW and small businesses represents a further benefit for our industry. Some operators of small motels in regional parts of NSW have seen little recent growth but the state budget should provide these businesses with a degree of optimism."