Businesses‘ $50,000 in cash incentives as coronavirus fears hits industry

TOURISM businesses will be offered up to $50,000 in cash incentives to fund new projects in the Territory in a bid to smooth the impact of the coronavirus

NT Tourism businesses can apply for up to $50,000 under the government’s new visitor experience program. Picture: Tourism NT/Jason Van Miert

TOURISM businesses will be offered up to $50,000 in cash incentives to fund new projects in the Territory in a bid to smooth the impact of the coronavirus.

Acting Tourism Minister Eva Lawler said the government’s new $500,000 visitor experience program aimed to support projects that create new tourism experiences or upgrade infrastructure in the NT.

“Our aim is to be one step ahead of the impacts of the coronavirus travel restrictions, as well as bushfires,” she said.

“Any tourism business is welcome to apply for the program from March 2, whether you’re in Yulara, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek or one of our smaller towns in the Territory.

“It’s about having an idea and the NT Government supporting your idea by matching that funding.”

The initiative is a part of the government’s $2 million Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan to help minimise the impacts of coronavirus travel restrictions.

Tourism NT estimates there will be 20-35 per cent decline in Chinese visitation to the NT for the year ending March 2020, equating to a loss of up to $15.9 million.

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Minister Lawler said the government had “re-proritised” $2 million for the plan within its existing tourism budget.

“When you put $156 million over four years into the tourism budget, you’re able to move things around a bit,” she said.

Applications can be submitted to www.grantsnt.nt.gov.au from next Monday.

Originally published as Businesses‘ $50,000 in cash incentives as coronavirus fears hits industry