Mr Stoner said the businesses would benefit from NSW Government funding under the Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF), which helps boost tourism across the State.

The successful regional tourism projects include:

  • Port Stephens Destination Marketing Program – Port Stephens Tourism Ltd – $92,500 to develop a marketing program and increase low season, midweek visitation to the region;
  • Peppers Manor House, Southern Highlands – Bay Holdings Pty Ltd as Trustee for Australian Hotel Fund – $500,000 for five-star accommodation refurbishment and conference centre development; and
  • Spicer Caravan Park, Parkes – Parkes Shire Council – $79,570 for cabin development and site upgrading to accommodate RVs.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting and growing the State’s tourism industry and it gives me great pleasure to announce funding for these high-quality organisations from regional NSW,” Mr Stoner said.

“They will share in a total of $672,070 to assist product development and destination marketing for their regions.

“The funding is part of a record $21.6 million commitment to the RVEF program over three years, to help grow local economies across regional NSW and contribute to the NSW Government’s goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.”

The successful applicants will receive funding on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis from the RVEF round one Contestable Fund, managed and administered by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Mr Stoner said regional tourism was an important and vital contributor to the State’s economy.

“For the year ending March 2014, Regional NSW received 18.8 million overnight visitors, which accounted for more than $9.8 billion in visitor expenditure to the State,” Mr Stoner said.

“Funding from the RVEF will help regional tourism providers to promote their wonderful destinations to domestic and international visitors, upgrade facilities and improve services, while allowing our regional visitor economy to grow.

“Applications for round two of the 2014 RVEF Contestable Fund will open on 29 September and close on 7 November, with more than $2.8 million available.”

Tourism businesses and marketers interested in applying for RVEF funding may also wish to register to attend the NSW FIRST Workshop Program, a series of free workshops held across the State from September to November. Dedicated RVEF workshops will discuss the application process and eligibility criteria.

More information on the Regional Visitor Economy Fund
Register for the NSW FIRST Workshop Program