$3.5 Million On Offer To Tourism Operators

The NSW Government is offering $3.5 million to boost tourism in regional NSW, including the Central Coast, thanks to three funding streams currently open for applications.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the funding could be used to develop new attractions and visitor infrastructure, to refresh existing tourism products, or to secure and create new business events.

“The $3.5 million of funding currently on offer is targeted to help new or established business owners be visitor-ready,” Mr Crouch said.

“More tourists mean more jobs for Central Coast locals, so I encourage businesses and tourist operators to consider how they could access this funding and enhance their current offering.

“After the triple whammy of fires, floods and COVID-19 we need to do everything possible to support local businesses and tourism operators.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the funding would help to position the NSW visitor economy for long-term growth.

“We may be operating in a new, COVID-safe environment but the desire to travel, have new experiences, connect with colleagues, learn and build new networks is stronger than ever,” Mr Ayres said.

The three funding streams that are now open are:

• Tourism Product Development Fund stream 1: offering $10,000 grants to regional tourism operators to update their product or experience,
• Tourism Product Development Fund stream 2: offering between $50,000 and $150,000 in matched funding to assist operators upgrade existing accommodation to improve star rating, upgrade business and leisure event venues and facilities, repurpose existing infrastructure to provide new facilities or experiences not currently available within the destination, or to create new tourism attractions or experiences, and
• Regional Business Event Development Fund: grants of up to $30,000 to create, attract and support business events for regional NSW, and to motivate business event owners to incorporate regional NSW in their plans.

For information, go to: www.destinationnsw.com.au.