NSW Tourism Minister Sandra Nori today launched new websites promoting Sydney and New South Wales to operate in the USA, UK and New Zealand.

In Brisbane for the first day of Australia's premier tourism showcase - the annual Australian Tourism Exchange to meet with international media and tourism buyers, Minister Nori discussed the NSW Government's activities in building on the international awareness of New South Wales following the Sdyney 2000 �best-ever� Olympic Games.

The three new sites bring to six the number of international websites created this year as part of the New South Wales Government's Post-Olympic Strategy to maintain Sydney/New South Wales as Australia's number one visitor destination.

"We now have market-specific websites available for travellers in Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA, China and the UK, with New Zealand going on line this week, and Japan by the end of June�, Minister Nori said.

"The first two sites were launched in Singapore and Hong Kong in March this year as part of an integrated marketing campaign to drive business to New South Wales as these markets begin to recover from the Asian financial crisis�, she said.

"These websites have been developed to handle the phenomenal interest in New South Wales following the Games, and to convert enquiries into travel bookings.

"Unlike many others, we have tailored these sites - the images and the motivational information - to suit individual market needs � rather than just translating an existing Australian website.

"Each site has a local domain name which, we believe, will capitalise on the awareness of Sydney and allow us to use it as a hook to get visitors into the rest of the site and learn more about the diversity of holiday options we have available across New South Wales. The web site addresses are: Hong Kong: sydneyaustralia.com.hk Singapore: sydney.com.sg UK: sydneyaustralia.co.uk New Zealand: sydneyaustralia.co.nz USA: seesydney.com China: sydneyaustralia.com.cn

"The NSW Government has allocated $1.2million over four years to establish international sites that will drive business to the experts - our international industry partners - to convert the inquiries into direct sales�, Ms Nori said.

"They show market-specific product offers and have links to some of our in-market wholesale partners' websites or customer service units.�

Ninety-seven New South Wales tourism operators are attending the Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane this year.

For further information: Dominica Nelson 0413 382 475