DESTINATION New South Wales (NSW) has decided to open an office in Mumbai, in recognition of the importance of the Indian market for the state’s tourism industry.
The decision follows a five-day trade and investment mission to Mumbai by state premier Barry O’Farrell.
“Establishing an on-the-ground tourism presence in India, will allow the NSW government to further promote its ongoing relationship with the Indian market,” said George Souris, state minister for Tourism and Major Events.
“It will play a key role in achieving our target to double overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.”
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said the new India office would have the dual role of enticing more Indian holidaymakers to NSW and tapping into the burgeoning Indian incentive travel market.
She said the office would also represent Business Events Sydney and work closely with airlines, the travel trade, business event organisers and media to keep Sydney and NSW top of mind as a destination.
Lyn Lewis-Smith, acting CEO of Business Events Sydney said: “There are obvious synergies and it makes sense for Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney to work together to maximise the opportunities the Indian market presents for the state.”
According to Chipchase, India is currently NSW’s 11th largest tourism source market and last year contributed a 17 per cent rise in visitor numbers.
“In the year ending June 2011, we welcomed an additional 10,000 visitors from India and in the same period, total overnight expenditure from visitors from India was A$219 million (US$220 million),” she said.
Destination NSW has international offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Auckland, London and Tokyo.
