By CHRIS DANIELS
Despite banking on attracting world attention and tourist dollars for the Olympics, Sydneysiders are spending their money trying to lure their New Zealand neighbours.
A publicity campaign has been launched to convince this country that Sydney, all tarted up for the September Olympics, is still open for business.
New South Wales Tourism Minister Sandra Nori, in Auckland yesterday to launch the campaign, said New Zealand tourists should not be put off by fears of high prices and disruption caused by the games.
Promotions are aimed at people aged 30 to 45 who may have been to Sydney in the past 10 to 15 years. Advertisements in newspapers and on bus shelters will target "impulse buyers" looking for a few days' stress relief in a foreign city.
New Zealanders make up 17 per cent of the tourists visiting New South Wales. Around 260,000 of us head there each year.
Ms Nori said: "We're looking to entice them back yet again, with the promise that they're going to see a city that's completely changed from the last time they visited - even if [that] was as little as a year ago."
While the Japanese and Americans spent the big money, New Zealand tourists were still needed.
"We don't take you for granted," she said. "New Zealand is an important market."
Ms Nori said she thought New Zealand would "benefit tangentially" from the Olympics, as Northern Hemisphere tourists became aware of this part of the world and that it was not difficult to get here.
Reports from Olympic package organisers show that New Zealanders are less than keen to travel to Sydney in September.
Initial forecasts of 9000 people travelling to see the games have been revised to 6500.
Sports fans have been advised not to wait until May or June to book, as most tickets and accommodation will be gone.
Sportsworld International director Malcolm Beattie said: "We believe if people have not made up their minds by late February then they won't be getting anything of what they want."
Some tickets were still available for the opening ceremony.
Sydney wants us to visit
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