Regional tourism fund creates opportunities for accommodation sector

Accommodation operators outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will have the chance to access funding support to help upgrade their facilities from next month.

Tourism Accommodation Australia Managing Director Rodger Powell today welcomed the announcement that applications for the $48.5 million Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund will open in December.

“This fund will be available to help hotels located outside our three biggest cities to fund upgrades to their facilities and keep pace with increasing customer demand for high quality accommodation”, Mr Powell said.

“Hotels now have an opportunity to secure dollar-for-dollar funding support to upgrade existing guest facilities or expand to provide new and innovative products and services that will help attract new business.

“The Government contribution is being funded through a ten per cent allocation of the recent increases to airline passenger taxes. TAA congratulates Minister Ferguson for working to ensure that part of the increase in tax collected from the tourism industry is retained for the benefit of the tourism industry.”

“Targeting this money towards improvements in regional tourism product will be helpful in assisting Tourism Australia deliver on the Tourism 2020 strategic plan. It is essential that the expectations of overseas visitors are met with quality experiences and accommodation.”

Source: Tourism Accommodation Australia, 23 October 2012