Federal Grants to businesses & organisations promoting regional tourism in their ‘own backyard’
Mandatory bans or levies on plastic bags the only way says peak environment body
May 4, 2005Tourism challenges – a changing international market & a flat domestic market as Aussies jet off overseas!
May 4, 2005The Federal Government has announced $9.5 million in grants for businesses and regional organisations through the Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP).
Tourism Minister Fran Bailey has changed the guidelines that sent roughly half the funding to state governments. The emphasis will now be on regional tourism organisations and incorporated bodies. Queensland and NSW tourism ministers have ‘slammed the decision’ saying there will be duplication and that the states are in the best position to run domestic marketing campaigns with their regional partners.
The ATDP will provide up to $500,000 for tourism initiatives that:
a. Promote tourism development in regional and rural Australia
b. Contribute to long-term economic growth
c. Increase Australia’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
Four Tasmanian businesses were successful in obtaining grants to the value of $457,000 in 2004 towards improvement projects at Maria Island, interpretation at Meadowbank winery, prevention of the extinction of Tasmania’s Eastern Quoll and a grant to implement components of the Experience Strategy by Cradle Coast Authority.
Applications for the grants opened mid April and will close on 15 June 2005. For more information you can contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit the website at www.ausindustry.gov.au .
