Tourism Product Development Fund
Applications for the Tourism Product Development Fund (formerly known as the COVID Safe Tourism Co-Investment Program) are now open.
Applications opened on Friday 29 April 2022 and will close at 5.00pm on Tuesday 31 May 2022.
Background
In January 2021, the ACT Government announced the establishment of the COVID Safe Tourism Co-Investment Program (CSTCIP), which provided funding support for the development of COVID safe tourism products and infrastructure. The CSTCIP sought to help the tourism industry recover from the significant impacts of COVID-19.
The CSTCIP had $1.5 million in funding available, with $750,000 to be allocated to successful industry-led projects in each of two funding rounds (opening in 2020-21 and 2021-22).
A new program name has been developed for the latest funding round opening in 2021-22: the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF).
The program will again require a 1:1 matched cash contribution from applicants.
The TPDF Funding Guidelines provide details for businesses applying for financial assistance from the program for infrastructure and product and experience projects that are to be completed by 30 June 2023.
A set of responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have also been prepared, along with a Project Implementation Plan template that needs to be completed and uploaded to the online application form.
The online application form can be accessed here: https://CMTEDD.smartygrants.com.au/2021-22TPDF
Program Outcomes
The intended outcomes of the TPDF are to:
- Encourage development of new infrastructure and/or experiences that attract more visitors and/or lead to increased visitor length of stay and increased visitor spend, while also enhancing Canberra’s reputation as a destination.
- Encourage enhancement of infrastructure that will expand an existing tourism product.
- Build industry resilience in a COVID environment.
- Increase the supply of new experiences to fill a gap in the market.
- Build innovative solutions to support operations through industry collaboration.
SUCCESSFUL GRANT RECIPIENTS: 2020-21
| Project name | Funding amount |
| Ice Age and Hominid Exhibit | $11,000 |
| Minimum Touch Maximum Experiences | $14,037 |
| Enhancement of Food and Beverage Spaces | $30,000 |
| Shuttle Bus and Trailer | $30,000 |
| Dock Dining Domes | $30,563 |
| Cellar Door Outdoor Seating Facility | $34,400 |
| Bar and Wine Room | $50,000 |
| Book Excursion Platform | $50,000 |
| Distillery Experience | $50,000 |
| Wild Night Safari | $50,000 |
| WILMA | $50,000 |
| GoBoat Charter | $70,000 |
| Sabi Suites | $80,000 |
| Open Air Function Venue | $100,000 |
| Astro-Tourism Facility | $100,000 |
CONTACT DETAILS
For more information about the Tourism Product Development Fund, please contact one of the VisitCanberra contact officers.