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A major new regional tourism funding package was this week announced for Victoria.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos made the announcement while visiting the Bendigo Planetarium which is now twice its size thanks to funding in 2023 of $250,000 from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

The new Bendigo Planetarium at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre was redesigned to include a dome theatre which displays high-resolution images of planets and the cosmos to teach audiences about space. It is expected to attract more than 14,000 new visitors to the region annually.

One in every 11 jobs in regional Victoria exists because of tourism and the funding announced this week is aimed at getting the most exciting regional tourism ideas off the ground and ready for investment.

The new round of funding will make available up to $8 million to create a pipeline of more tourism infrastructure and more jobs.

Grants between $20,000 and $500,000 are open to tourism businesses, not-for-profit and Traditional Owner organisations, and more.

The grants will be delivered in two streams: the first providing support to test the concept of a large new infrastructure project like a feasibility study or masterplan.

The second stream funds detailed design packages, funding strategies or community engagement plans. Both are vital to attracting greater investment and getting projects off paper.

The fund is guided by five priorities of experiences that Victoria does best – First Peoples-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink, and nature.

A new guide for tourism operators will also help them deliver projects that are ready for investment, delivering a great return and an even better experience for visitors.

Applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund are open until Friday, 28th March 2024. For more information on the grants and the new guide, visit tourism.vic.gov.au.

Images. Credit: Discovery Centre Bendigo 

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