Tourism Recovery Program delivers direct support to nearly 1,000 Western Australian operators

Almost a thousand tourism businesses have shared in more than $14 million of funding from the Western Australian Government's Tourism Recovery Program.

The support program has now delivered grants of $6,500-$100,000 to 974 Western Australian tourism businesses to assist the sector as it manages the impacts of COVID-19.

The second round of the program - the Tourism Business Survival Grants - is being distributed this week and will see grants of up to $100,000 allocated to 266 of the state's tourism businesses most impacted by COVID-19.

While much of the state is currently enjoying an intrastate tourism boom, some businesses have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, with many unable to operate for large parts of the year.

Some businesses in more remote parts of the State and those offering particular types of tours and experiences are also continuing to deal with the challenges of COVID-19.

Businesses in the state's north have been among those most impacted, with 101 Kimberley and Pilbara businesses receiving funding and another 51 from Western Australia's Coral Coast region getting support.

64 businesses from the Perth metropolitan region received grants, with 31 in the South-West and 19 in Western Australia's Golden Outback securing funding.

The Survival Grants funding will help tourism operators sustain and grow their businesses in the current environment - to cover fixed costs and overheads, purchase business materials and services, and shift focus to the domestic market.

The Tourism Recovery Program has provided wide support to the regions and sectors most impacted by COVID-19, with 70% of all applicants successful in receiving funding.

Over $4 million in leftover funding from the Tourism Recovery Fund has been reallocated to the Tourism Business Survival Grants program - more than doubling the original $4 million allocation.

Commenting on the funding, Western Australian Tourism Minister, Paul Papalia stated “while many in the tourism industry are enjoying the benefits of Western Australians travelling locally this year, there are still a number of businesses hurting as a result of COVID-19.

"Some regions, particularly those in the north of the state, are continuing to feel the impacts of the pandemic. A number of tour and experience operators whose businesses were geared towards out-of-state visitors are also facing challenges in the current environment.”

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the funding announcement, with Chief Executive Evan Hall saying that the grants would help businesses which relied upon a high volume of inbound visitors from interstate and overseas to be sustained.

Hall advised “these grants will mean that tourism businesses will be able to stay afloat during the recovery period and be able to open up or adapt their business operations.

“Many of these businesses were not eligible for previous Government measures and this program has been well targeted in providing support to businesses in dire need.”

The full list of recipients can be viewed at www.tourism.wa.gov.au