Monday, 5 December 2016
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall says the local tourism industry is set to benefit from a massive injection of $13 million from the new Regional Tourism Fund.
Mr Marshall said the opening of the fund this week offers two programs for marketing and product development support to meet part of the NSW Government’s strategy to re-energise tourism across Regional NSW.
“The fund is available to Local Government, tourism and industry sector organisations as well as the six Destination Networks, with the product development program also available to tourism operators,” Mr Marshall said.
“With a total of $13 million available between 2016 and 2019, the new Regional Tourism Fund provides increased investment of $2.5 million into the regional visitor economy on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis.
“And there are grants to assist with infrastructure and accommodation projects to delivering marketing campaigns aimed at driving overnight visitation, so the Regional Tourism Fund has the potential to support even more projects, stimulating tourism and creating more jobs.”
Mr Marshall said regional tourism contributed $6.7billion and employed 73,900 people across the State – and the New England and greater northern part of NSW gave a job to thousands of people and supported a small army of volunteers who helped drive visitor numbers to local areas.
“The Northern Tablelands has been a great part of a big regional tourism growth over the past four years, with our landscape and built environment attractions and our major events, attracting more people,” he said.
“Some of those established events, like music, cultural and sporting, bring in thousands of visitors every time they’re on and the fact we’re on a main north-south highway corridor drives even more motorists and travellers to our region.
“And we know the value of sporting events to this region too, especially with junior sport when parents, siblings and other family members follow their children to compete.
“Anyone in hospitality, events or the tourist and travel industry in this region sees the economic impact of regional tourism so this government initiative will help continue to promote the variety of products and experiences we have, so we increase destination awareness and overnight visitor stays.”
Mr Marshall is encouraging the regional tourism industry to review the Regional Tourism Fund criteria to learn more about funding opportunities.
The new Fund is open to receive applications at any time, offering simplified online forms, broader assessment criteria and quicker assessment processes.
Further information on the two funding programs including details on the guidelines, fact sheets, FAQs and online forms, is available at www.destinationnsw.com.au/regionaltourismfund