Federal grants to improve attractions in regional areas

Australian and overseas visitors will be encouraged to stay longer and return to regional areas following the Australian Government's new $48.5 million Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund

Competitive, merits based grants are open for applications from this week for funding amounts of between $50,000 and $250,000 matched dollar for dollar taking the total investment to almost $100 million.

Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson said that the program will help boost innovation and quality in Australia's tourism industry, stating "this fund is about bringing the beauty of Australia's outdoors indoors. A major focus of this program will be on improving the quality of accommodation and attractions in regional areas so that the tourism facilities match the beauty of Australia's regions.

"Tourism is a vital part of Australia's economy as Australia's largest services export and employing almost one million Australians. With almost 50 cents in every tourism dollar spent in regional areas, this fund will help secure jobs and ensure visitors have the very best experience of regional Australia.

"Boosting the quality of tourism products will help ensure Australia remains a competitive destination for both domestic and international visitors.

"This fund builds on the Government's T-QUAL Grants program which has delivered over $20 million to tourism operators, and Australia's first national tourism accreditation scheme, the T-QUAL Tick."

Tourism operators outside Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne metropolitan areas are eligible to apply for grants to 14th December.

For information call the TIRF Grants Hotline on 02 6243 7604.

Application forms, program guidelines, frequently asked questions and YouTube videos are available on www.ret.gov.au/tirfgrants

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