Mr Barilaro said the program aims to increase the food and wine products and packages on offer in the region, and deliver a targeted marketing campaign to increase awareness of the destination among potential visitors.
“In 2013 the NSW Government committed a record $21.6 million to the RVEF over three years, to help boost local economies across Regional NSW and contribute to the goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to the State by 2020,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Regional tourism is a vital contributor to the State’s economy. Last year Regional NSW received 50.4 million international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors, who spent $13.3 billion.”
Local MP Katrina Hodgkinson said the Riverina Regional Tourism Organisation will receive $171,500 from the Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF) to continue to reinforce the Riverina region as a must-visit food and wine destination.
Member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli said the funding will develop new products and packages that attract overnight visitors, such as food and wine experiences, farm gate visits, provenance trails and events, and help ensure more people know about them.
Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire said the NSW Government is committed to growing the State’s visitor economy and initiatives like the RVEF support this development and are important in encouraging economic growth in our regional communities.
For more information visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/RVEF
Download a PDF version of this media release (PDF 94kb)