Illawarra Business Chamber
Invigorating

APEC Long Weekend a Get out of Sydney Weekend

The Illawarra Business Chamber says that the APEC public holiday provides a great opportunity for local businesses to benefit from an additional Public Holiday.

The APEC Public Holiday on Friday September 7 will provide 1.4 million Sydney workers with an additional public holiday

“The NSW Government should fund a campaign encouraging Sydney-siders to explore regional NSW during the second weekend in September, “said Mark Grimson, CEO of the Illawarra Business Chamber.

“Let’s declare it a “Get out of Sydney weekend” – and use it as a means of helping boost the regions tourism sector.

“If Sydney is closed for a day, there is no reason why the rest of NSW should not benefit.

“If the NSW Government can encourage more people to visit the Illawarra, the extra trade they bring would be very welcome.

Mr Grimson was pleased the Government had moved away from its original intention of declaring a State-wide holiday. While Sydney is hosting the APEC Leader’s Meeting, the rest of NSW needs to be open for business.

“The original proposal, which the Illawarra Business Chamber opposed, was going to cost businesses throughout NSW over $550 million. The decision to limit the public holiday to the Sydney metropolitan area will mean that areas such as the Illawarra will be able to capitalise from the extra public holiday.

“Sydney will be effectively shut for three days – with major disruptions to traffic, the airport and roads. The APEC Leader’s Meeting will include over 300 motorcades, 35 VIP aircraft, 3,000 police, 1,500 visiting journalists and will see significant parts of Sydney locked down - this event will make the Cheney visit look like a school picnic.

“I believe the NSW Government must take advantage of this occasion and inject some additional activity into the regions tourism sector. IBC will be seeking discussions with the region’s Tourism organisation to look at ways to optimise this opportunity.

“With Sydney effectively closed, what better time is there for people to spend three days taking a look at what’s on offer here in the Illawarra?


For more information contact Mark Grimson on 02 4229 4722 or 0409 155240
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