Seventeen local tourism businesses across the Territory have received grants totalling nearly $500,000 under the New Visitor Experience Program (NVEP) as part of the Territory Labor Government's $2 Million Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan launched in February this year.
A total of $498,052.50 has been awarded to 17 recipients throughout the Territory with projects in Nhulunbuy, Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs regions.
The NVEP aims to support the Territory's tourism industry and operators to bounce back from the impacts of the Australian bushfires and coronavirus.
The grant program will provide a much needed boost to the Territory's tourism industry with applicants required to provide a matching co-contribution and ensure projects are completed by the end of 2020.
NVEP is in addition to the four rounds of the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program (VEEP) as part of the $3 million Turbocharging investment over two years to assist the tourism industry to improve the on-ground visitor experience.
Regional project highlights include:
A new campground kitchen for the Gove Boat Club's Manyimi campground with the installation of electric BBQ's, new seating, counters and a food preparation bench for visiting campers.
Local Cullen Bay business Mini Melts NT will develop Cheekies Party Bike, a multi-passenger, human-powered electric battery assisted bicycle for up to 15 people to enjoy refreshments as they tour the sites of Cullen Bay and Darwin's CBD.
The Mataranka Roadhouse will open a wholesale bakery to provide fresh bread to the local Mataranka and Katherine markets.
Tennant Creek's Top of Town Café will develop an outdoor and evening dining/function area and an outdoor space to hold entertainment and functions.
In the Centre, Alice Springs Brewing Company will expand and reconfigure its brewing operations with the establishment of a new brewing area to create Brewery Tours for visitors.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
"Our Government is supporting local business through the unprecedented situation we are currently facing.
"We opened these grants in early March in the early stages of COVID-19. With the travel restrictions as they stand and the impact they are having on our tourism industry, it's more important than ever for the Territory to develop new visitor experiences that diversify the tourism offering in the region, while providing much needed support.
"Our $2 million Immediate Tourism Resilience Plan is a multifaceted approach that aims to minimise the impact to NT operators and the visitor economy. Initiatives like the New Visitor Experience Program will help our tourism operators to bounce back and be ready to welcome both Territorians and visitors once they are able to."
