Organisers of tourism events such as sporting carnivals and festivals are now able to apply for funding through the ACT Government’s 2008-09 Events Assistance Program (EAP). The government is particularly looking to attract interstate and international visitors to the region.
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR TOURISM EVENTS
131/08 5 June 2008
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr today invited the organisers of tourism events in Canberra to apply for funding through the Stanhope Labor Government’s 2008-09 Events Assistance Program (EAP).
“Events play a vital role in the cultural life of Canberra, making the ACT such an enjoyable and interesting place to live,” Mr Barr said. “Events also make a significant economic contribution to the ACT by attracting interstate and international visitors to our region.
“Through the Events Assistance Program, the Stanhope Labor Government is able to assist event managers to ensure their Canberra based event is successful. This provides benefits to other ACT tourism operators and helps create tourism jobs in the ACT by increasing the number of visitors travelling to the ACT.”
As part of the recently announced ACT Budget for 2008-09, the Stanhope Labor Government has provided a four-year, $257,000 commitment to enhance the EAP. For the 2008-09 funding round, this has resulted in an additional $60,000 being added to the funding pool.
“Grants provided during 2008-09 will focus on attracting more visitors to our region and getting them to stay longer by helping events with marketing, research and business development.”
Specifically, the EAP will support events that:
increase visitation and generate additional income for the ACT through visitor expenditure;
extend visitors’ length of stay; and
attract visitors during off-peak times in order to fill calendar gaps.
To qualify for funding, events must be held during the 2008-09 financial year, or organisers should be undertaking demonstrable planning activity during this period for an event being held in future years.
Events supported by the EAP in past years have covered the arts, sport and special interest sectors. They include the Australian Mountain Bike Championships, the National Folk Festival, the Kanga Cup, the Canberra International Music Festival and the Canberra Capital Triathlon Festival.
Applications close on 30 June 2008. Funding guidelines and application forms are now available from Australian Capital Tourism’s corporate website - www.tams.act.gov.au/play/tourism
For more information, contact the Event Development Executive on (02) 6207 2884 during business hours or email tourism.eap@act.gov.au
Statement ends
Media Contact: Paul Kindermann 6205 1690 0403 600 955 paul.kindermann@act.gov.au
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