AGY-1658 | Tourism Commission of New South Wales (1985- 1993) / Tourism New South Wales (1993-2003 )

Full description

An Act to constitute the Tourism Commission of New South Wales, and to define its objectives and functions, 1984 (Act No. 46, 1984) (1) was proclaimed 1 February 1985. (2) The Act constituted a Corporation under the corporate name of "Tourism Commission of New South Wales". (3) It was deemed a statutory body subject to the control and direction of the Minister and was to consist of not fewer than seven members or not more than nine members who shall be appointed by the Governor. (4)

The objectives of the Commission were
* to achieve economic and social benefits for the people of NSW though the development of tourism (5);
* assist and guide people involved in developing, promoting and selling NSW tourism products;
* to enhance and improve Government and industry Co-operation and association in promoting, marketing, developing, and implementing tourist activities;
* ensure controlled development of major NSW tourist assets of historical and geographical significance;
* and to operate and manage on a commercial basis tourism facilities, where it would not be appropriate for the private sector to operate such facilities. (6)

In 1993 under the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, No.2, 1993, the Tourism Commission of NSW Act was amended to insert "Tourism NSW" for "the Commission". (7) The statutory body became known as Tourism NSW.

In 1993, Tourism New South Wales was structured under five Directors responsible for Strategic Planning and Liaison, Marketing, Media and Public affairs, Sales and Information, and Corporate Services. (8) The director of Sales and Information was responsible for NEWTRACS, a database of tourism information (9), and sales centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. (10)

During the year ended June 30 1994, comprehensive changes were made to the administrative structure to improve the marketing of New South Wales as a premier holiday destination. The structure consisted of seven divisions (or groups) – executive services, marketing, strategic planning, product distribution, media and public affairs, marketing services, and financial services. The Product Distribution Group was responsible for the NEWTRACS database, sales centres and the Sydney Airport meet and greet program. (11) By 1995, the number of regional offices was expanded to sixteen. (12)

In 1996, new government priorities for tourism resulted in a restructure of Tourism New South Wales. The organisation was now structured with three directors responsible for Marketing Operations, Marketing Communications, and Policy and Development. Marketing Communications included responsibility for: special events; destination promotion; and industry promotion. (13)

In 1999, Tourism New South Wales underwent a further restructure, and was now structured with seven Directors responsible for: Strategy and Alliances; Industry Development; International Sales and Operations; Australian Sales and Operations; New South Wales holidays; Marketing Services and Brand Management; and Business Services and Corporate Affairs. Marketing Services and Brand management was responsible for destination promotion and Olympic publicity. (14)

Changes to the organisational structure in 2001 included the creation of Tourism Sydney, and Visitor Services Agencies (VSA) Shared Services. Tourism Sydney was established as a joint initiative between Tourism New South Wales, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Department of State and Regional Development, in order to encourage the NSW government’s commitment to leisure tourism in Sydney. VSA Shared Services was created to provide corporate services to Tourism New South Wales, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Botanic Trust and Centennial Parklands. (15)

On 29 August 2003, Tourism New South Wales was abolished and all its branches were added to the newly created Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. (16)

Endnotes
1. Tourism Commission Act, 1984 Vol.1, p.1.
2. NSW Government Gazette, 1985, p.331.
3. Tourism Commission Act Vol 1, p.3.
4. Tourism Commission Act Vol 1, p.4.
5. Tourism Commission Act Vol 1, p.5.
6. NSW Government Directory 1987, p.327.
7. NSW Statutes 1993, p.17.
8. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 1993 p.7.
9. Ibid p.30.
10. Ibid p.64.
11. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 1994 p.B8.
12. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 1995 p.32.
13. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 1996 pp.28-29.
14. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 1998/1999 pp.10-11.
15. Tourism Commission Annual Report for 2001/2002 pp.16, 26.
16. NSW Government Gazette No.132, 29 August 2003, pp.8941-8943.