Minister for the north coast and member for Ballina Don Page will announce nine new tourism initiatives to receive $250,000 in funding at a Tourism Industry Forum to be held at the Byron Community Centre on 9 February.
Mr Page said the Destination NSW funding would enable the far north coast to enhance existing visitor experiences and boost tourism from interstate and overseas markets.
Much of the funding will go directly to tourism operators to enhance visitor experiences to the region. The funds were granted through a competitive tender process coordinated by Northern Rivers Tourism.
The following local projects received funding:
- nearly $29,000 of funding to upgrade conference facilities at the Byron Community Centre
- nearly $36,000 of funding for Byron Kombi Orientation Tours, to offer day tours around Byron Shire
- funding for Byron Bay Farmstay in Bangalow of over $13,000 to design and construct a new mountain bike trail, with signage and facilities including parking
- more than $35,000 of funding for a new regional airport shuttle, to operate between Casino and Lismore, connecting with existing shuttle services operating between Byron Bay and the Tweed coast through to the Gold Coast and Brisbane airports
- $40,000 for Coastal Indigenous Cultural Experiences on the Tweed Coast
- $36,000 for new Eco Cruises and Kayaking Tours in Brunswick Heads.
CEO of Northern Rivers Tourism, Russell Mills, said, ‘Northern Rivers Tourism welcomes this announcement and we are thrilled to be able to realise some fantastic projects in partnership with the region’s tourism industry, local government and Destination NSW’.
