More than $4 million in funding is available to create and support tourism infrastructure across Tasmania through the Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure and Regional Tourism Infrastructure and Innovation Funds.
The 2015-2016 round of the Australian Government funds, which are administered by the Tasmanian Government’s Department of State Growth, are now open to expressions of interest.
Through the funding program $4.4 million is available to support infrastructure projects that bring more visitors to Tasmania, improve the quality of their experience and boost expenditure.
Already the Australian Government has allocated $750,000 of the RTIIF to the Cradle Coast Authority, which will host the Australian Masters Games. The State Government will match the funds for this event, which is expected to inject between $7 million and $9 million into the local economy.
The Tourism Funding Program has the potential to support even more projects that will enliven regional Tasmania through tourism, strengthening the economy and creating jobs.
This will no doubt go a long way to helping us reach our target of attracting 1.5 million visitors to the state every year by 2020, which the industry tells us will create 8,000 new jobs.
Proponents are urged to submit an expression of interest application, which are open until August 19. The EOIs will be assessed and shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a business case. Successful applicants will notified in October.
Guidelines and EOI forms can be found at https://www.business.tas.gov.au/TourismFunding
Enquiries can be submitted by email to THSU@stategrowth.tas.gov.au.