$360 000 FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR TOUR OPERATORS IN NSW
If you are a tour operator based in the Sydney Harbour, Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Australian Alps, Australia’s Green Cauldron (Northern Rivers/North East NSW) and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness (NSW Far South Coast), there is some good news for you.
A pool of $360 000 in grant funding, as provided by the NSW Government through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Commercial Tour Operator Small Grant Program, will be available to private tour operators in the aforementioned regions. The new program is part of the NSW government's commitment to provide funding for small business in regions as well as to support the implementation of the Experience Development Strategies and to promote new cultural and tourism experiences in NSW iconic landscapes.
To be eligible for grants of up to $10,000, small businesses need to hold a valid Parks Eco Pass, and also have the option to partner with off-park providers and develop a new/enhance an existing visitor experience. As part of the grant program operators are given the opportunity to attend workshops and business mentoring sessions, which will assist them to develop, submit and implement their projects/business ideas.
NSW NPWS will be sending an information pack to all Parks Eco Pass holders. For further information on the grant program, please click here.
NOTE: Applications under this program close on 30 June 2016, so if you would like to apply or find out more information, please email: tourism.partnerships@environment.nsw.gov.au
(Image: Life's an Adventure - Ecotourism certified - Blue Mountains, NSW)