Hawkesbury tourist businesses could get slice of $3.5m boost for regional NSW visitor economy

The NSW Government is giving the State’s regional visitor economy a $3.5m boost through funding programs to support the development of new attractions and visitor infrastructure, to refresh existing tourism products, and to secure or create new business event opportunities.

The programs, offered by Destination NSW, will help businesses and regional communities recover from the impact of drought, floods, bushfires and the Covid-19 pandemic by creating jobs, enhancing the appeal of regional NSW, and improving the quality of the visitor experience.

Stuart Ayres, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, said the Tourism Funding Program – with two separate funding streams – `and the NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund would help position the NSW visitor economy for long-term growth.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of many regional communities and we understand the devastating effect the past 12-18 months have had on tourism-related businesses. That’s why the NSW Government is offering financial support to help business owners turn things around,” Mr Ayres said.

“We may be operating in a new, COVID-safe environment but the desire to travel, have new experiences, connect with colleagues, learn and build new networks is stronger than ever.”

The three funding streams that are now open are:

Tourism Product Development Fund

Stream 1 – Refresh and Renew Fund: offering $10,000 grants to regional tourism

operators to update their product or experience

Stream 2 – Experience Enhancement Fund: provides between $50,000 and

$150,000 in matched funding to assist operators upgrade existing accommodation to improve their star rating, upgrade business and leisure event venues and facilities, repurpose existing infrastructure to provide new facilities or experiences not currently available within the destination, or to create new tourism attractions or experiences

Regional Business Event Development Fund:

Grants of up to $30,000 to create, attract and support business events for regional NSW and to motivate business event owners to incorporate regional NSW in their plans.

Applications for the Tourism Funding Program are open now and close on

March 31.

Applications for the $500,000 NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund are also open now and will close on April 30.

For information and to apply, visit www.destinationnsw.com.au

Pic: Artem Beliaikin

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