Home

Small Tourism may miss out on $14.4M package

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Small tourism businesses such as Tuarts Guest Lodge may not be eligible for the Governments $14.4million Tourism Recovery Program
Camera IconSmall tourism businesses such as Tuarts Guest Lodge may not be eligible for the Governments $14.4million Tourism Recovery Program Credit: Supplied

Hundreds of small tourism businesses in the Capes may miss out on the State Government’s $14.4 million Tourism Recovery Program because they do not satisfy the criteria.

Businesses are ineligible for the program if they are not members of State tourism organisations, such as a regional tourism organisation, or the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, STAR Rating Australia Program, Eco Certification Program or the Caravan/Holiday Park Accreditation Program.

Small tourism operators across the Capes have struggled with the fallout from intrastate travel restrictions and Registered Accommodation Providers Margaret River Region president Debbie Noonan said membership to these organisations was “expensive and redundant”.

“Unfortunately, membership to these councils was one of the first costs we had to cut in previous lean years,” she said.

“All tourism operators should have had an opportunity to access a WA taxpayer-funded grant, not just the members of those associations sitting around the table making the decisions.”

Tuarts Guest Lodge proprietor Peter Keynes said he had cut membership and accreditation with tourism organisations because they were not effective in the modern tourism landscape.

“We didn’t feel they represented our interests well, these organisations are self-servicing and expensive, and because we are no longer members that disqualifies us from the grant,” he said.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the decision on eligibility was made by the State Government.

“The vast majority of accredited tourism businesses are in fact micro businesses, typically mum-and-dad businesses,” he said.

“We advocated hard to explain to the Government the impact coronavirus had on tourism businesses which were too small to access the payroll tax grant of $17,500.”

Despite their concerns, Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said small tourism providers without membership to these organisations would be eligible for the $4 million Tourism Business Survival Grants package.

“The accreditation programs cover a broad range of tourism sectors, with some accreditation programs linked directly to inclusion in State Government activities and opportunities, including destination marketing,” he said.

“Businesses which are not eligible for the Tourism Recovery Fundare encouraged to apply for the Tourism Business Survival Grants.”

As part of the application process, businesses are required to submit a recovery and marketing plan to outline how the funding will be used and indicate how their product, service or experience could be adapted.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam encouraged the Minister to rethink the “limited” criteria to ensure support for those in the industry who needed it most.

“I appreciate the significant challenge the State and Federal governments face in delivering support in a timely manner while trying to maintain the most targeted reach,” she said.

“However, it is clear the criteria for tourism grants does not capture the many operators in the region who aren’t accredited members of the Tourism Council.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails