Region. Tourism events in the west

Parramatta and Penrith are leading the way in developing tourism promotions and attractions for their region, while Blue Mountains City Council has tourism as a central plank in their economy, according to Clr Alison McLaren, when commenting on Premier Barry O’Farrell’s statement to talk to Western Sydney councils about staging more tourism events in the region. “The move will bring major benefits to the region by boosting employment and investment opportunities and at the same time would open the doors to local, interstate and international visitors who may not previously have been aware of what the region has to offer,” she said. Deputy Mayor, Jim Aitken, of Penrith City Council, said the city was primed and ready to take on and host some of NSW’s major events and festivals.