By: Small Business
Source: http://dnbsmallbusiness.com.au
Category:Small Business Grants
Small businesses may be able to take advantage of the increase in visitor numbers last month with the tourism grants that are currently available from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
In January, there were more than half a million visitor arrivals to Australia, an increase of nearly five percent in the past 12 months, with the majority of these tourists from the Asia-Pacific region - particularly China.
According to Tourism Australia, China is Australia's most valuable inbound tourism market and worth around $3.6 billion to the tourism industry. In the past year, the number of Chinese travellers to Australia grew a significant 27 percent.
As part of Tourism Australia's long term plan to leverage this market, the Federal Government has launched a China 2020 Strategic Plan as well as a host of other general tourism grants to assist businesses.
China 2020 Strategic Plan
Tourism Quality Projects
Strategic Tourism Investment Grants
China 2020 Strategic Plan
Tourism Australia's strategic plan estimates that Chinese visitors will spend $7 to $9 billion annually in Australia by 2020, and provides various ways that tour operators and related businesses can take advantage of this market. Some suggestions are to 'know your customer' by doing research on what a customer is looking for while on holiday; and to perhaps expand the number of Mandarin-speaking activities available.
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) also suggests applying to be registered as an approved inbound tour operator under the China Approved Destination Status (ADS) Scheme. This Scheme, which began in 2006, is a bilateral tourism arrangement between the Chinese and Australian governments that aims to ensure that travellers receive a "quality Australian tourism experience".
Businesses eligible to participate in the ADS scheme must have an ABN or ACN, a valid travel agent's license and a current membership to a relevant industry association. To apply, visit the RET website.
For more information see Tourism Australia's China 2012 Strategic Plan here.
Tourism Quality Projects
However, small businesses may occasionally require monetary assistance, particularly during periods of falling sales and tight cash flow. With the current global economic downturn and spate of natural disasters affecting more and more local businesses, it is perhaps timely that the 2012 round of Tourism Quality Projects opened for applications on 17 February.
The Tourism Quality Projects are part of a wider T-QUAL grant program that was launched in July 2011 by RET to encourage businesses to come up with innovative tourism projects, services or experiences. The Federal Government has set aside $40 million over four years and will provide $15,000 to $100,000 for small-scale projects.
If you have an idea for a new project or to upgrade an existing one, the government will provide dollar for dollar matched funding (up to $100,000) to do so.
There are some things to keep in mind, however, when applying for this project:
If you have applied in 2009 or 2011, you can still apply again although some program details have changed to reflect alignment with tourism quality principles;
You do not need prior T-QUAL Accreditation to apply, although it is preferable;
You can apply more than once but they must be for different projects;
You do not have to be a tourism business to apply but the project must benefit the Australian tourism industry; and
The grant cannot be used for marketing, advertising or product promotion purposes
For more information and to apply, visit the RET website here. Applications close at 5 pm on 19 April.
Strategic Tourism Investment Grants
The Strategic Tourism Investment Grants, also part of T-QUAL, provides matched funding up to $1 million to support indigenous tourism, economic development and/or tourism employment. The government aims to fund around 20 projects over the four years beginning July 2011, with suggestions for new projects welcome at any time.
Currently, the only project in the pipeline is the Indigenous Tourism Business Quality & Skills Project, which aims to develop a tourism and hospitality workforce at Ayers Rock Resort.
Although applications closed in January, more projects will be added on a rolling basis on the RET website.
Source: http://dnbsmallbusiness.com.au/News/Tourism_grants_to_boost_visitor_numbers/indexdl_8178.aspx
