TOURISM in Orana and the far west will not be impacted by the peak tourism body for the region going into voluntary administration, according to Dubbo MP and Deputy Premier Troy Grant.
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While representatives of Inland NSW declined to comment on their organisation's fight for survival, Mr Grant said Inland NSW Tourism's move into administration should not trigger "alarm bells or signal a crisis" but was an indication the current tourism model was not working.
Inland NSW directors made the decision last Thursday to go into administration because of a lack of grant funding, according to a statement given to the ABC.
"Inland NSW, like many other regional tourism organisations, is very reliant on funds derived from grants," the statement said.
"This accounts for 82 per cent of Inland's budgeted income.
"Unfortunately Inland has not been able to secure grants in time to meet its budgeted cash-flow needs."
"This is the fifth [RTO] in NSW to have these problems. It is not something unique to our area, the Hunter also went under so it probably speaks more about the model. It's proved that it's not working and there needs to be a change."
- Member for Dubbo Troy Grant
Mr Grant said he was disappointed to hear the news but said it was the right decision. He said during his time as Tourism Minister prior to the 2015 election he saw flaws in the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) structure and said that had led to current minister Stuart Ayres conducting a review.
The latest developments would also be considered in Mr Ayres review, he said.
"The [Inland NSW] board acted responsibly and professionally and are to be credited for their actions," Mr Grant said.
"This is the fifth [RTO] in NSW to have these problems. It is not something unique to our area, the Hunter also went under so it probably speaks more about the model. It's proved that it's not working and there needs to be a change."
However Mr Grant said there would be no impact on tourism.
Inland NSW chief executive Graham Perry declined to comment and directed inquiries to administrator Bradd Morelli of Jirsch Sutherland Advisory and Consulting.
Mr Morelli confirmed he had been appointed on March 31 and said he would be working with Inland NSW to get a positive outcome.
"Inland NSW will be operating as normal under our guidance," he said.
He said there would be more information in the coming days.
Inland NSW is responsible for the promotion of more than 25 per cent of NSW, particularly in the west and north of the state. It claims to represent 27.5 per cent of all tourism operators and destinations in NSW, including Taronga Western Plains Zoo, and 34 per cent of councils, including Dubbo.
Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson declined to comment on the situation while Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Regional Development Australia Orana chairman John Walkom did not return calls.
Barwon MP Kevin Humphries told the ABC there was concern from some in his electorate they could miss out on Destination NSW funding.
"The issue we've got is that a number of our community organisations and members have got applications in to Destination New South Wales for community-based events, and they're quite significant right around the region."
