Dr Schwartz owns three major hotels in the Hunter and is a proud tourism advocate for the region.

The $1 million from the state government was earmarked for new marketing campaigns to bring tourists back to the region after the superstorm, but Dr Schwartz said it was not good enough.

“While I was pleased to hear of the government’s initiative, I was appalled when I read about the size of the fund,” he said.

“It endorses tourism to the region, not much else. 

“Unfortunately, the Hunter Valley remains a well-kept secret for most people living in NSW and Australia, and $1 million will not go very far to change that perception.”

Dr Schwartz said once administration costs were taken by government organisation Destination NSW there would be little left to produce a quality marketing campaign.

He believes it is symptomatic of an overall lack of funding for Hunter tourism development.

“The Hunter Valley needs a vibrant tourism industry if we are to generate sustainable future employment, and the NSW government would be better off allocating the $1 million directly to the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association – which now has full council support – to promote the region’s tourism assets,” he said. 

“That would be the best and most efficient allocation of scarce funds.”

Earlier in the year Dr Schwartz led a push to see Cessnock Airport upgraded to make it easier for time-poor tourists to access the Hunter.

After several months he said he has had little help from the government to facilitate the flights and had taken things into his own hands.

  “I have just purchased a sea-plane for an air route which I wish to run from Cessnock Airport to Rose Bay harbour via Newcastle Harbour; but once again have had no help from any of the three authorities.”

He believes it is time for the government to put money where its mouth is.