Sydney To Welcome Savannah Guthrie When NBC's Today Heads Down Under

SYDNEY, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales, Mike Baird today welcomed the announcement that one of America's top rating morning shows NBC's TODAY would host a special live broadcast from Sydney.

"The US is a priority market for the New South Wales (NSW) Government and we are delighted to welcome one of North America's most popular breakfast shows to Sydney," Mr. Baird said.

"I'd like to warmly welcome Australian-born anchor Savannah Guthrie to Sydney to help showcase our city to TODAY's 5.6 million American viewers.

"This is our chance to showcase Sydney at its very best. The NSW Government's major events and tourism agency Destination NSW has partnered with Australia's national carrier Qantas to maximize the tourism potential of this great opportunity.

"There is nowhere else in the world quite like Sydney. Our central business district, the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are located on one of the world's most beautiful harbors, and we have the world's best beaches at our doorstep.

"This is a golden opportunity to showcase NSW to the lucrative US audience and we'll work with TODAY's producers to promote the state as a must-see tourism destination.

"More than 323,000 visitors travelled to NSW from North America in the year ending September 2014. We will encourage our American friends to visit New South Wales when the live broadcast takes place on Monday 4 May 2015.

"A similar partnership between the NSW Government and Qantas for the Ellen De Generes Show in 2013 resulted in a 22 per cent increase in inbound ticket sales from the USA to Sydney compared with normal levels.

"We are looking to maximise the potential of this opportunity. Destination NSW will work with Qantas to offer travel packages to further promote the state to US audiences," Mr. Baird said.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: "As the national carrier, Qantas is a big supporter of Australian tourism."

"The US is a key target market for our local tourism operators and Qantas is the number one choice for people travelling across the Pacific, so we're excited to be working with Destination NSW to market Sydney to such a big audience."

"Qantas is renowned for making our customers feel at home, so we look forward to welcoming Savannah back to her birth place."

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SOURCE Destination NSW