The NSW Government and Singapore Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of rebuilding visitation to Sydney and NSW.
The new agreement, which was sealed through the NSW Government's $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund, will facilitate marketing activities across Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK, Germany and France to stimulate demand and drive visitation to NSW.
On signing the MoU in Singapore today, Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the agreement with Singapore Airlines was critical to reigniting the NSW visitor economy.
"I am delighted the NSW Government is partnering with Singapore's national carrier to help restore visitation to pre-pandemic levels," Mr Ayres said.
"Singapore Airlines, with the support of the NSW Government, is currently operating four daily flights to Sydney, which is estimated to deliver over $231 million in visitor expenditure to NSW up until July 2023 and support more than 1200 jobs.
"In 2019, NSW welcomed more than 126,000 Singaporean visitors, who stayed more than one million nights and added $232 million to the NSW visitor economy. Singapore is also a high-traffic hub for passengers from around the globe travelling to NSW.
"Our airports are the gateway to our state, so supporting the return of airlines to them through the Aviation Attraction Fund is key to achieving our goal of NSW being the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific."
Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, Singapore Airlines, said that the carrier remains committed to the Australia market.
"Singapore Airlines' global network, as well as our dedication to providing safe travels to all of our customers, allow us to work closely with the NSW Government to increase visitor arrivals into NSW.
"This year marks 55 years since Singapore Airlines' first flight into Australia, and this partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to keeping the country connected to the world and bringing travel to new heights."
The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will collaborate with Singapore Airlines on initiatives including advertising, marketing campaigns and familiarisation programs to drive visitation to NSW.
The Aviation Attraction Fund forms part of the NSW Government's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. It aims to build aviation capacity across NSW by supporting airlines to return to the state's airports.
