New Grants for Tourism Quality and Innovation

A new grants program, Tqual Grants, has been launched by Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson.

Tqual Grants is an $8.5 million competitive grants program to promote strategic investment in quality and innovation in the Australian tourism industry. It will support initiatives that:

• Develop innovative product, services or systems within the tourism industry;
• Contribute directly to long-term economic development in the host region; and
• Develop or support high quality visitor services and experiences.

Explaining the program, Minister Ferguson stated "Tqual Grants will better position the Australian tourism industry in a highly competitive market â to help tourism operators and regions offer a better product and give both domestic and international travellers more reasons to choose Australia.

"This is a program which will encourage quality and innovation and provide support to businesses and regions which take the initiative to succeed in an increasingly competitive market."

The size of grants will reflect the strategic benefit of the application:

• Innovative tourism projects will be eligible for grants between $5,000 and $100,000
• Integrated tourism development projects are eligible for grants from $100,000 - $500,000
• National or sectoral tourism initiatives are eligible for grants from $25,000 to $500,000

Minister Ferguson went on to add that "the Australian Government is pleased to be investing in a more innovative, more competitive tourism industry and Tqual Grants will help the industry grow by supporting initiatives that strengthen the capacity and capabilities of Australian tourism businesses."

For further information on Tqual Grants visit www.ret.gov.au/tourism