Whitsunday tourism industry buoyed by $3.5m funding lifeline

THE Whitsundays will receive a multi-million-dollar boost under a Federal Government plan to entice more Aussies to holiday in their own backyards.

Nine tourism regions heavily reliant on international tourists will share in $50m to spend on marketing campaigns and events to attract would-be international travellers to holiday at home.

Areas earmarked for cash include the NSW North Coast, Tropical North Queensland, the Whitsundays, Phillip Island in Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

The Whitsundays will receive a $3.5m slice of the funding.

The amount each area received was calculated by the number of international tourism-reliant jobs in the region.

The Federal Government will work with local tourism bodies to determine the best use of the cash.

Sunday’s announcement, made on World Tourism Day, also included $200m for an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Mccormack said the combined $250m package would deliver targeted support for regional areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“By investing $200m in an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund we are investing $200m in securing regional Australia’s future,” Mr Mccormack said.

“We know every dollar spent on building local communities is a dollar well spent and that is at the heart of our economic plan for a more secure and resilient Australia.”

BBRF Round 5 will be delivered like its previous four rounds, with Infrastructure Project and Community Investment streams.

Grant opportunity guidelines will be made available shortly, consistent with the existing BBRF framework, to assist potential applicants.

Brisbane visitors Allan and Susan Thompson at Airlie Beach.