The Territory Labor Government is supporting Aboriginal businesses and organisations to access funding and business development consultancy, to build sustainable tourism experiences.
Round Two of the Aboriginal Tourism Development Support Grant Program will help Aboriginal Territorians and business owners engage professional services to assist with feasibility studies and business planning.
The program can also assist with access to professional services for the preparation of applications to relevant land councils or other land management authorities to support the delivery of tourism experiences and products.
A total funding pool of $300,000 is available to Aboriginal owned tourism businesses for consultancy services that assist in developing and diversifying the business.
Applications are now open for grants from $10,000 up to $30,000. This is a non-competitive grant and applications will be assessed as received.
Round One of the program saw 10 Aboriginal businesses receive over $200,000 in grants, including Buymarr Getaways who received funding to explore establishing a new tourism business, infrastructure and land tenure planning.
Applications open on 30 October 2023 and close 15 March 2024 or earlier if funding is fully subscribed.
To be eligible, businesses must be an NT-based majority owned Aboriginal business or organisation with a goal to develop Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences and products that encourage visitors to travel to the Territory and stay longer.
For grant guidelines and applications, please visit [http://www.grantsnt.nt.gov.au]
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Nicole Manison:
"The Aboriginal Tourism Development Support Grants offer a great opportunity for Aboriginal businesses to access expert advice on how to build their business.
"Tourism creates well-paying jobs in all regions of the Northern Territory, and we want to ensure that continues and Aboriginal businesses are set up to succeed.
"The Territory's Aboriginal tourism industry is thriving and this government is committed to growing locally owned tourism businesses to share our rich Aboriginal culture, product and experiences."
Quotes attributable to Wangurri Djerrkura Aboriginal Corporation Director Nathan Djerrkura:
"My family and I have been looking to establish a tourism business at our homeland Buymarr in East Arnhem Land for some time now, but needed some advice to set up our corporation and get started.
"Through the Aboriginal Tourism Development Support Grant we were able to work with Bowman Advisory to register the Wangurri Djerrkura Aboriginal Corporation with ORIC, undertake visioning and planning work, as well as land tenure arrangements and infrastructure scoping.
"With this assistance, we feel confident to take the next steps on our business journey and are working to open Buymarr Getaways and our campgrounds to visitors in 2024."
Northern Territory Government
