Gurmesh Singh MP

$3.5M BOOST FOR THE 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.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said this is a significant opportunity for new and established business owners on the Coffs Coast to be visitor-ready and create new business event programs.

“These funding programs are just what our local businesses need to get back on their feet, embrace new opportunities and create experiences, attractions and tourism products for our visitors,” Mr Singh said.

“More visitors means greater benefits for our local visitor economy and local community.”

The three funding streams 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 $3 million Tourism Funding Program close on 31 March.