Grants available to enhance tourism experiences in Northern Territory

Grants of up to $100,000 are now available under Round 6 of Tourism NT’s Visitor Experience Enhancement Program (VEEP). VEEP supports tourism businesses undertake projects that will improve on-ground visitor experiences in the Territory.

Previous grant recipient Uluru Segway Tours used their VEEP grant to upgrade the batteries of their Segways allowing for longer, more epic experiences.

The grants can be used for a range of projects from infrastructure upgrades, to projects that improve safety or disability access for customers and staff, implementing new technologies to enhance tourism retail spaces, or developing new products and experiences.

In round six of the Territory Government’s VEEP, there is a $1 million funding pool to help tour operators take on projects that improve the on-ground visitor experience, which keeps tourists coming back and staying longer.

Businesses can apply for funding from $30,000 up to $100,000, with a matching cash contribution required.

Grants are Territory wide, but tourism operators from Central Australia are strongly encouraged to apply.

NT Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Nicole Manison notes “we will always back our hard working tourism industry, and VEEP is back for another round of grants that will create positive promotion of our amazing destination, the Northern Territory.

“Both the VEEP and the Roadhouse to Recovery grant programs are making a real impact in upgrading the Territory’s tourism infrastructure and tourism products, with benefits for visitors, businesses and local Territorians.

“This program will encourage visitors to the Northern Territory, which not only strengthens our tourism industry, but creates local jobs and boosts the entire economy by ensuring operators use local suppliers.”

VEEP provides support to local tourism operators to enhance their product offerings and improve the on-ground visitor experience.

Applicants will need to demonstrate how the project will enhance the visitor experience, increase favourable reviews from customers and increase visitor numbers, with priority given to projects that demonstrate the greatest need for visitor enhancement.

As well as stimulating private investment, VEEP has flow-on benefits for other industry sectors, with applicants required to use local suppliers for services and materials.

The NT Government has granted $6.9 million in VEEP funding through five funding rounds with the Roadhouse to Recovery grant program providing a further $6.8 million to remote roadhouses, wayside inns and caravan parks through the initial two rounds.

Applications for VEEP Round 6 are now open on grantsnt.nt.gov.au/ and close 14th April 2023. Projects must be completed by 30th April 2024.

To find out more visit tourismnt.com.au/industry-toolkit/grants-funding

Image: Previous grant recipient Uluru Segway Tours on cover of VEEP Round 6 guidelines