Nineteen businesses in the Australia's Golden Outback tourism region have received a share of $8.7 million in funding support from the Tourism Business Survival Grants program.
The initiative is providing funding to tourism businesses around the State as part of the second round of the McGowan Government's $14.4 million Tourism Recovery Program.
While much of the State is enjoying a tourism boom as Western Australians holiday at home, some regions and tourism sectors are continuing to be challenged by the impacts of COVID-19.
The program is providing grants of $15,000-$100,000 to help tourism operators sustain and grow their businesses in the current environment - to cover fixed costs and overheads, purchase business materials and services, and shift focus to the domestic market.
Australia's Golden Outback region stretches from Mount Augustus and the Kennedy Ranges to Esperance, including Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields. Like destinations all around the State, local tourism businesses have been impacted by COVID-19.
State Government initiatives, such as the Wander out Yonder campaign, have been helping the region to rebound, with anecdotal reports showing strong bookings not only for these school holidays but looking ahead to the December break, particularly for Esperance.
The Tourism Business Survival Grants program funding follows the initial phase of tourism industry support that focused on small businesses with one-off grants of $6,500.
The Tourism Recovery Program has provided wide support to the regions and sectors most impacted by COVID-19, with 70 per cent of all applicants successful in receiving funding.
Over $4 million in leftover funding from the Tourism Recovery Fund has been reallocated to the Tourism Business Survival Grants program - more than doubling the original $4 million allocation.
A full list of successful Tourism Business Survival Grants program recipients will be available from 8am today (October 5) at http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Golden Outback region, like all of our regional destinations, saw significant disruptions this year due to COVID-19. Businesses were unable to trade for a period, and the loss of out-of-State visitors has had unavoidable impacts on the sector.
"While things have been picking up with the Wander out Yonder campaign seeing Western Australians travelling the State in huge numbers, some businesses will continue to experience difficulties.
"Tour and experience operators like Goldrush Tours, and businesses with a stronger focus on out-of-State visitors like Cindy Poole Glass Gallery are among those likely to be more impacted for longer by COVID-19.
"The Survival Grants will help our quality local tourism businesses keep afloat, providing extra support to adjust to the current environment and look at new ways of doing business."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"Goldrush Tours are a fantastic local tourism operator. It is great to see them receive funding as part of the McGowan Government's $8.7 million Tourism Business Survival Grants program.
"The McGowan Government is working hard to ensure that tourists continue to visit regional Western Australia. As a local MLC, I look forward to seeing more visitors discover the Golden Outback with the help of our fantastic tourism operators."
