$3 million in grants up for grabs for tourism projects
Posted by editor (editor) on Mar 18 2010
2010 >>

$3 million in contestable grant funding is up for grabs for a range of tourism projects across the state Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor announced today.

Mr Lawlor said the Queensland Tourism Network Grant Scheme would allocate $3 million over the next three years as part of a commitment to help the state’s tourism organisations develop a stronger and more cohesive network.

“The grants will be available to a range of not-for-profit tourism groups including regional and local tourism organisations, local government tourism departments and divisions, and tourism associations that are members of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The aim of the grants is to fund projects that will enable these organisations to streamline their current operations – for example by merging with other tourism bodies – or for organisations to collaborate on new tourism marketing or product development initiatives that aren’t already part of their core operations.

“We want to encourage tourism organisations to think outside their ‘business as usual’ squares and come to us with proposals that will help them build a stronger and more efficient tourism network in Queensland.”

Mr Lawlor said there was no minimum or maximum grant amount that tourism organisations could apply for, rather submissions would be assessed on the value of the project to their overall region or to the state.

There are two main categories for eligible projects – those that are associated with implementing mergers between tourism organisations; and for tourism organisations who collaborate on new marketing, industry and/or product development projects,” Mr Lawlor said.

“In 2008, the State Government conducted a review of Queensland’s tourism network and as a result the then Minister for Tourism announced a series of reforms which included encouraging regional and local tourism organisations to merge in order to create a more efficient and streamlined industry,” Mr Lawlor said.

Mr Lawlor said grant guidelines were available on the Tourism Queensland website at www.tq.com.au

Applications close 9th April 2010 for category one applications (tourism mergers) and 7th May 2010 for category two applications (new marketing and/or product development projects)

Last changed: Mar 18 2010 at 1:19 PM