Tourism businesses are encouraged to each apply for government tourism funding of up to $60,000 before the end of August.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has three funds available for tourism businesses or suppliers of tourism businesses in the Queenstown Lakes District.

The funds are to support tourism businesses to recover and re-set from the impacts of Covid-19 and are available to the five communities most affected by the loss of international tourism: Queenstown Lakes, Southland, Kaikōura, Mackenzie and Westland Districts.

The funding can be used in areas such as marketing, legal, accounting, wellbeing, training, digital enablement, human resources, and sustainability.

To date more than 1,200 businesses in the Queenstown Lakes area have used this funding and support since it became available last September.

One of them is Scott White, the owner and operator of Wild In White in Wānaka.

Scott White of Wild In White.

Before the pandemic, Scott (a wedding videographer) targeted a tourist-based market, predominantly couples from overseas.

He used the tourism grant to upgrade his website, and for digital and social media marketing, working with four different advisory organisations.

“My summer [was] considerably busier and more profitable compared to 2021, and I largely put this down to the advice and support I’ve received via the Tourism Communities Plan,” he said.

Queenstown Lakes District Council economic development manager Peter Harris encouraged all tourism-related businesses to consider applying to the fund.

“There’s still funding available for businesses, it’s not too late to apply. The Otago Regional Business Partners team will work with you to check if you’re eligible, and help you navigate the application process,” he said.

The three funds are:

• Business Advisory Support - up to $5,000 per business operation to enable businesses to receive expert advice and support;
• Advice Implementation Grant - up to $5,000 per business operation for businesses to implement business advice;
• Tourism Kick-start Fund - $10,000 to $50,000 per business operation to help tourism operators scale back up for the return of international visitors.

Registrations for all funds close on August 31.

Those interested in the fund need to register their business with Otago Regional Business Partners; They must have a GST number, NZBN, and be located in the Queenstown Lakes District. 

Businesses with further questions can contact [email protected] or check out the Business South website. Businesses are able to apply for more than one grant.

PHOTOS: Supplied