Regional tourism operators to get grants to update tourism experiences

Areas in regional NSW will get grants and matched funding in an effort to entice more tourists outside the city limits, as part of a $3.5 million investment plan.

Regional tourism operators will be able to apply for up to $10,000 in grants to upgrade their products as part of a multimillion-dollar boost to the sector.

The State Government will also provide up to $150,000 in matched funding for operators to improve their facilities or offer new experiences.

The funding is part of a $3.5 million fund which aims to kickstart investment in new activities in NSW.

Half a million dollars will work to create and support business events for regional NSW, with grants of up to $30,000 to be made available.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres says NSW is open for business. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“NSW is open for business and welcoming visitors, and business owners and entrepreneurs are hungry for growth and new opportunities – these programs will help visitor economy stakeholders to achieve just that,” Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said.

A multimillion-dollar advertising blitz encouraging residents to “love (Sydney) like you mean it” will also be extended until April.

Mr Ayres said the campaign “has generated more than 42,000 leads to visitor economy businesses since launching late last year”.

In extending the advertisement, the government is “calling on Sydneysiders to book a multi-day staycation, enjoy a meal, a performance or retail therapy, and to visit an attraction to get city tills ringing again”.

Gavin Hughes at his Stony Creek farm distillery near Bega. Picture: Jonathan Ng

News of the grants for regional tourism operators was welcomed by North of Eden Gin co-owner Gavin Hughes.

Mr Hughes said he spent about $10,000 last year to expand his Stony Creek cellar door facilities to accommodate social distancing.

As part of the extensive landscaping effort, he cut into the hill behind the cellar door, terraced the area with garden beds, and installed a “gin shed” to allow more people at his venue.

“It probably cost me about ten grand,” he said.

“For a small business like us that’s a fair bit of money to spend.”

Gavin Hughes and Karen Touchie, whose Stony Creek farm distillery near Bega could be eligible for the grants. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Hughes runs a ‘gin school’ allowing small groups to distil their own brew which they can take home in bespoke bottles.

The distillery may be eligible for the new ‘Refresh and Renew’ grants, as tourism is a big part of their operation.

He said recent COVID restrictions and border closures have hit businesses hard in the region, as summer represents up to 80 per cent of yearly trade.

“The real challenge for business in this area in particular is they lost last summer because of bushfires and they’ve lost this summer because of COVID”, he said.