A grand prix featuring cars racing across the Harbour Bridge and national park experiences to compete with the Grand Canyon are among ideas floated by politicians to bring more visitors to NSW.
The tourism potential in NSW is “absolutely huge” with a second international airport on the horizon and visitor numbers up, an industry forum heard on Friday.
But it's the great outdoors, regional experiences and the "experience economy" that will really draw the punters in.
"The potential is absolutely huge here in NSW as we open up Western Sydney Airport (and) as the economy recovers," Tourism Minister John Graham told a Tourism & Transport Forum summit.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward pitched a vision for a grand prix in Sydney with Formula One cars streaming across the Harbour Bridge.
"It's just one of the exciting things that could happen," she said.
Outside of the state capital, travel on trains that replicate a refined European experience would add to the tourism offering.
"You can go to European cities and taking fast trains is phenomenal," Ms Ward said.
"It's beautiful, it's a pleasure to travel ... there's wi-fi, good seating, it's clean, it's efficient."
With better transport connections, visitors to the state could access more of its natural wonders, Ms Ward added.
"Those sorts of offerings are just a magnificent opportunity to combine our tourism offering with transport infrastructure," she said.
But Transport Minister Jo Haylen's vision for tourism in the state comes from across the Pacific.
"You go to the US, you can go to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon with a range of different accommodation options, all sensitively done to ensure their ongoing environmental integrity," she said.
“And here in NSW we have some of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
"To walk out from a national park cabin onto the sands of Byron Bay has to be one of the world’s best experiences.
"I would love to see us provide more great tourism opportunities."
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman pointed towards the "great Indigenous offering in NSW" as a natural tourist advantage.
"We've got the oldest living culture in the world," he said.
"If you're from Europe or America or Asia, you're looking for something different when you come to Sydney and NSW and that is something that is unique.
"There's an enormous opportunity there."
A greater emphasis on the experience economy, particularly in the state's regions should be on the tourism agenda, Mr Graham agreed.
"It's about giving people a smooth experience, making sure that when they come here, they actually do have that good time," he said.
"That word of mouth is so powerful, you cannot fake that."
