Oasis Tourist Park among recipients of Northern Territory VEEP grants

The Oasis Tourist Park is among 25 Northern Territory businesses to share in $1.77 million worth of grants, from Round Six of the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program (VEEP).

In Round Six a number of projects that improve the accessibility of the Territory’s tourism offerings were awarded grants, including fitting out a fishing charter for wheelchair access, and accessible bathrooms for both accommodation and hospitality venues.

Oasis Tourist Park is situated 100 metres from the centre of Coober Pedy – within easy walking distance of the supermarket, opal shops, post office and restaurants.  The Tourist Park’s covered swimming pool is refreshing for travellers after a long and mostly hot journey.

Oasis Tourist Park is among the 11 of the 25 businesses in Round Six to receive the maximum $100,000 and used the funding to help with installing a new amenity building including multipurpose room, laundry plus accessible toilet and shower.

VEEP is a highly positive grants initiative where local Territory businesses can apply for funding of up to 50% of the total cost of upgrades, to provide better visitor experiences.

Hospitality NT Chief Executive Alex Bruce shared “once again we are seeing matched investment into our tourism and hospitality offerings right up and down the track.

"Given the pressures on small business, this commitment and continued support of our sector is very welcomed.”

VEEP grants can be used on a range of projects such as accommodation upgrades, improved leisure facilities and expansion of hospitality offerings, that benefit not only visitors but locals alike.

Other Top End businesses to receive a range of grants, including Skippers at Dundee and One Mile Brewery while nine businesses in Central Australia, including Renner Springs Roadhouse, the Diplomat Hotel and Erldunda Roadhouse, also received funding.

Since its inception in 2018, the VEEP initiative has allocated funding to 318 projects in the Northern Territory, at a total funding of $9.4 million.

NT Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Nicole Manison advised “VEEP is a fantastic program that backs in our tourism and hospitality businesses, by creating greater experiences and upgrading infrastructure for both visitors and Territorians.

“As well as stimulating private investment, VEEP recipients are required to use local suppliers for services and materials, this is great for local jobs and our Territory economy.

“Round Six VEEP recipients are based right across the Territory, and vary between expanding a café or refurbishing hotel rooms, meaning more jobs Territory wide, more reasons for tourists to visit and better facilities for locals.”

Round Seven will open in June, to find out more about the VEEP, previous recipients and how to apply visit https://www.tourismnt.com.au/industry-toolkit/grants-funding/previous-programs/visitor-experience-enhancement-program

Image. Credit: Oasis Tourist Park