Fantastic news for regional tourism in South Australia over the weekend, with the Premier Steven Marshall announcing a $20 million support package to encourage private investment in regional tourism development.
The Tourism Industry Development Fund offers grants from $20,000 to $500,000 for new and improved regional accommodation, and quality tourism product and experiences. It aims to assist in the COVID-19 recovery of regional tourism, by encouraging regional operators to improve and diversify so they can attract more visitors and get a higher return on their offering.
The South Australian Tourism Commission has been out in the regions to develop the 2025 Regional Visitor Strategy and what we’re hearing loud and clear is the opportunities of investing in regional tourism now – about jumping on the surge in intrastate interest in our regions – will help operators recover quicker and come back stronger.
The Tourism Industry Development Fund is part of a suite of support packages aimed at the tourism sector, which has been significantly impacted by bushfires and COVID-19.
Applications to the Tourism Industry Development Fund are limited to private sector businesses in the regions, with a maximum of 30 per cent State Government funding committed to the total project value. Projects must commence within three months from time of a successful application.
Examples could include new accommodation or refurbishments to existing properties, transport to create or enhance tourism experiences, or infrastructure to enhance visitor engagement including a new cellar door experience or an interactive display.