Queensland RTO's receive $3 million in grants

Queensland tourism will receive a major boost with 22 regional projects sharing almost $3 million, as part of the Government's Contestable Grants Funding Scheme. Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey, said the grants would be used to leverage local tourism opportunities and support the Newman Government's goal of doubling annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.

"At the inaugural DestinationQ Forum held in Cairns last June, our Government increased the funding available to RTOs and these projects will help further boost tourism in Queensland," Ms Stuckey said

"The grants are in addition to the $4 million in core funding made available for the RTO network in 2013-14, bringing total government support to $7 million.

"The successful applications include innovative proposals linked to DestinationQ outcomes and focus on marketing or product development opportunities that complement the Government's wider tourism strategy."

Ms Stuckey said a committee was established to assess grant applications, which was made up of representatives from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.

"RTOs were encouraged to leverage their own contributions towards projects with those from partners including local governments, local tourism organisations, industry and other partners," she said.

"Where grant applications have been successful, the State Government will match the destination's cash contributions dollar-for-dollar.

"In addition, RTOs are eligible to receive an extra 50 per cent for every dollar of new local government funds contributed to their successful projects."

Ms Stuckey said the Newman Government continued to focus on the importance of industry partnerships and the RTO Contestable Grant Scheme was a practical example of this.

Source: Accommodation Association of Australia, 13 August 2013