Lifestyle

Nature-based tourism in South Australia set to get $2M boost

The State Government is establishing a $2 million nature-based fund to encourage visitors to enjoy the State’s important natural and cultural assets.

With world-class National Parks, unrivalled wine regions and beaches that put those of the Greek Islands to shame, South Australia offers one of the most exciting and unique landscapes on the planet. But despite its beauty, SA has been somewhat of a well-kept secret to tourists. Until now.

In a bid to showcase the stunning natural landscapes of South Australia, The State Government is establishing a $2 million nature-based tourism fund to encourage visitors to enjoy and learn more about the State’s important natural and cultural assets.

The South Australian Tourism Commission’s Experience Nature Tourism Fund is expected to boost South Australia’s visitor economy and spur investment in nature-based tourism experiences while making the state more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists.

Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 will be available for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park.

“This $2 million boost for nature-based tourism is all about leveraging our state’s strengths to attract more visitors from interstate and overseas, while supporting conservation efforts and communities to keep our landscapes beautiful and pristine,” says Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison.

Increased tourism can often cause unwanted damage to pristine natural attractions but the State Government is taking necessary precautions to ensure the livelihood and longevity of the sites through well-developed programs.

“Through encouraging responsible visitor experiences in and around our state’s national parks, we’re investing in the future of these stunning destinations to help ensure they remain unspoilt for generations to come,” Zoe continued.

“We also know visitors seek out South Australia for its unique wildlife, spectacular coastlines, vast outback, rolling green hills and cultural heritage, so we’re building on our assets to recover domestic and international tourism and help return our state’s once $8.1 billion visitor economy.”

Applications to the Fund are limited to private sector businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and community associations.
 
Examples of eligible applications could include the purchase of equipment for experiences such as snorkelling, kayaking, cultural tours, wildlife viewing, and other ‘pop up’ activities in national parks such as camping. On land adjacent to parks, it could also include new or refurbished off-grid accommodation such as tiny homes, cabins and glamping tents, and infrastructure such as toilets and solar power generation.
 
Applicants will need to demonstrate the benefits the project will deliver to the visitor economy and must also have support from key stakeholders including landowners before making an application.
 
Grants are available via two funding streams: Stream 1 – Quick Activation Projects with grants available from $10,000 to $20,000; and Stream 2 – Innovative Development Projects with grants ranging from $20,001 to $50,000.

Projects must comply with the statutory management plan for a particular park or reserve, demonstrate care and consideration of the natural and cultural heritage of the proposed site, and operate in accordance with licence requirements set by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). If the project enters a national park, applicants must have in-principle support from DEW prior to commencing an application.
 
The funding program runs over four financial years, with up to $500,000 available in each year.
 
Applications open at 9am on 5 September 2022 and will close at 5pm on 21 October 2022.

For more information, visit the South Australian Tourism Commission website.

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