Published: 10 February 2022
Applications will open soon for the $38 million industry support package for tourism businesses and travel agents.
This fund is supporting eligible tourism businesses and travel agents in Western Australia to help offset some of the financial impact as a result of the evolving situation with the Omicron variant.
Tourism WA Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull said the funding would also help businesses as they managed changes to a full border opening date.
“I am well aware that our industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, and the unknown of the border opening date and Omicron variant is making it a difficult environment in which to operate,” she said.
“We’ve had insightful feedback from operators, both directly and through their respective industry bodies which has helped us to develop this support package.
“I encourage operators to keep in touch with their Regional Tourism Organisation, and to apply for this funding when it opens in coming weeks."
Eligible businesses can apply for funding through one of three programs:
o The $15 million Tourism Deposit Refund Program for eligible businesses that have refunded deposits on cancelled interstate or international bookings. Businesses may be eligible for funding to support half of their total refunds, up to $50,000;
o The $20 million Tourism Support Program for expenses incurred by tourism businesses in preparation for the border reopening. Sole traders may be eligible for one-off payment of $10,000 under this program, or $20,000 for employing businesses, and
o The $3 million Travel Agent Support Fund for eligible registered travel agents. Home-based agents may be eligible for a one-off payment of $5,000 or $10,000, eligible brick-and-mortar businesses will secure a one-off $20,000 payment.
In order to be eligible, businesses will need to have an active and valid ABN and have a business premise in Western Australia. Businesses will also need to show they have sustained a significant downturn over the past two years.
There is also a $10 million boost to the Aviation Recovery Fund, originally announced as part of the Reconnect WA package, taking the total in the aviation recovery fund to $75 million.
More information will be available soon.