$14.4 million package to support tourism industry and jobs

COVID-19 has had profound and unprecedented impacts on Western Australian tourism, with thousands of small businesses around the State struggling with the impacts of travel restrictions.

With some regional travel and other restrictions being cautiously eased from Monday May 18, as part of the WA Roadmap, the State Government’s Tourism Recovery Program will enable tourism operators to prepare for a staged return to business in a new environment.

The $14.4 million initiative includes two funding programs - with an initial $10.4 million in one-off cash grants for up to 1,600 individual small businesses around the State.

The $6,500 grants will provide immediate support to eligible tourism operators including micro tourism businesses, such as sole traders and businesses with four or less employees, with annual taxable wages of less than $1 million, including accommodation, attraction, tour and transport businesses.

The second, $4 million Tourism Business Survival Grants package will be available for tourism operators dealing with exceptionally difficult circumstances - with grants of $25,000-$100,000 available.

The Survival Grants will target businesses located in parts of the State with more restrictive travel bans in place, or whose circumstances otherwise mean they will face a more difficult road to recovery. Businesses which deliver iconic experiences are also eligible to apply. A probity auditor would review the robust and transparent criteria-led application and panel assessment.

As part of the application process, businesses are required to submit a recovery and marketing plan to outline how the funding will be used and indicate how their product, service or experience could be adapted.

Businesses must have a valid Australian Business Number and be an active part of the WA tourism industry through membership of one of the State’s eligible tourism organisations, or tourism accreditation programs.

The funding announcement follows the establishment of Tourism WA’s dedicated COVID-19 Industry Support Team last month. The team has contacted hundreds of Western Australian tourism operators to offer help and support, while gathering information to help guide recovery initiatives.

More information on the Tourism Recovery Fund and the online application form can be found at: www.tourism.wa.gov.au/WATourismRecoveryProgram.

More information on the Tourism Business Survival Grants package, including how businesses can apply, will be released shortly.

Read the media release from the Premier and Minister for Tourism.

https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/