AHA (NSW) welcomes hospitality boost in state budget

Nicolaou said the budget confirmed Destination NSW would receive $125 million a year for four years – funds dedicated to helping the multi-billion dollar tourism, business and major events industry.

Another $377 million has been made available to support the NSW arts and cultural sector.

"Funding for the tourism and hospitality sectors is obviously great news for the hotel industry," Nicolaou said.

"NSW hotels employ more than 75,000 people and we play a key role in the tourism sector – we welcome the government's determination to see that industry grow over coming years and back it up in this budget."

Nicolaou also welcomed $15 million in the budget to combat problem gambling through a range of initiatives including high quality counselling services.

"The rate of problem gambling has halved in NSW in recent years, however, we are determined to work together to see that figure drop still further," he said.

"AHA (NSW) fully supports initiatives to help problem gamblers – for example, our own self-exclusion program began more than a decade ago and over recent years GameCare has formed strategic partnerships with CatholicCare and the Multi-cultural Problem Gambling Service to enhance the services we offer."

Nicolaou also welcomed the massive boost in public transport contained in the budget as well as more investment in regional areas like the Hunter and Central Coast.

"This is a positive budget that is fiscally sound for the current economic climate," he said.

"The boost for tourism and hospitality in particular will assist and maintain growth in those areas. There is more to do but it's definitely a step in the right direction."