NSW: New Year's crowds a boost for Sydney business: SCC

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2006
NSW: New Year's crowds a boost for Sydney business: SCC

SYDNEY, Dec 31 AAP - Crowds pouring into Sydney ahead of tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations
will give the city's hospitality, tourism and retail industries an economic boost, the
Sydney Chamber of Commerce says.

While the festive season generally generates substantial economic activity, Sydney
businesses can expect an even bigger boost in coming weeks thanks to an estimated 15,000
cricket fans from the United Kingdom, Patricia Forsythe from the Chamber of Commerce said
today.

"Nearly all of Sydney's 19,000 hotel rooms are booked," Ms Forsythe said in a statement.

Ms Forsythe said Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations were highly regarded.

"Sydney is the first major city to usher in a new day due to our proximity to the international
dateline - this provides Sydney with a commercial advantage and marketing edge," she said.

"This year Sydney has the added economic boost of 15,000 cricket fans from the UK who
no doubt will be participating in the festivities."

She said total visitor expenditure in Sydney was over $10 billion in 2005.

AAP lma/jlw

KEYWORD: EVE NSW BUSINESS

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