A FUNDING CALL FOR TOURISM ACCOMMODATION AND ANCILLARY SERVICES

Transcription

1 This form must be completed in full, signed and returned to the address below. Electronic forms are also available on A FUNDING CALL FOR TOURISM ACCOMMODATION AND ANCILLARY SERVICES Mayo Local Action Group (Mayo LAG) is now advertising our Tourism Accommodation Funding Call. This Funding Call falls under the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) A total 350,000 will be awarded under this funding call. Details of the grant rates available are in the table below. This funding call is not limited to large applications seeking the maximum grant rate. Smaller projects may also apply. The call sets out to encourage innovation and support the sustainable development of tourism accommodation and accommodation experiences throughout Mayo. Tourism Accommodation Grant rates: Applicant Type Grant Rate Max Grant Amount Private 50% 50,000 Private Applications on Islands 62,500 Community 75% 50,000 Community Applications on Islands 62,500 Applicants for funding under this Call must complete and submit; 1) An Expression of Interest Form (EOI) 2) Tourism Accommodation Funding Call Information Form included in this document. If you have already submitted an Expression of Interest, you need only complete and submit the Tourism Accommodation Funding Call Information Form. Information Presentation & Clinic Date: Tuesday 7 February, 2017 Time: 8.15pm Information Presentation 8.45pm to 9.30pm One-to-One Clinics Venue: Castlebar Tennis Club, Lannagh Road, Castlebar 1

2 Estimated Accommodation Funding Call Timeline: February: Accommodation Funding Call Open from Wednesday 1 February 2017 Stage 1: Complete an Expression of Information form and a Tourism Accommodation Funding Call Information Form Closing Date for receipt of complete Expression of Interest (EOI) and Tourism Accommodation Funding Call Information Form is Friday 24 February 2017 at 5pm. Please note: EOIs received after Friday 24February 2017, will not be accepted. March: Notification to successful EOIs by post or . April: Meet with Project Officer and prepare accommodation project application. Closing date for receipt of full application information is 5pm on Friday 4 th August Please note: Applications received after Friday 4 August 2017, will not be accepted. September: Competitive Accommodation Project Evaluation based on the criteria set out in this document. Mayo Local Action Group Decision on Accommodation Funding Call October: Notification to successful and unsuccessful applicants. Accommodation Funding Call Criteria Applications for funding under this Call must clearly demonstrate the capacity of the proposed accommodation project to deliver on the following six development outcomes: 1. Innovation and new tourism product development: Will the proposed investment by Mayo LAG deliver new accommodation experiences for which there is demonstrable visitor demand? One of the objectives of this funding call is to be a catalyst for the development of new and preferably innovative accommodation experiences. 2. Accommodation Gaps: Will the project fill an accommodation gap / need in the area, increasing visitor capacity overall and distributing visitor traffic and spend? 3. Benefits to environment: Does the project offer more sustainable visitor accommodation solutions to the benefit of environmental assets underpinning tourism in the area? 4. Increasing visitor spend: Will the proposed development lead to an increase in the number of international and domestic visitors to the tourism business or to the length of time they spend in the surrounding area? What is the likely impact of that increase in terms of additional visitor spending in the area? 5. Creation of employment opportunities in tourism and hospitality: Will the proposed development directly or indirectly create or sustain employment in the area? 6. Financial sustainability: Will the proposed development be capable of generating or otherwise covering reinvestment requirements into the future and be financially sustainable? 2

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4 Ineligible Accommodation Projects 1 Accommodation based in the town planning areas of Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Ballina, Castlebar and Westport. Please contact your Local Development Company if you are unsure about the location of your project. 2 Hotels 3 New build accommodations including B&B, Self-catering and Hostels Important Project Considerations 1 Any project which may cause displacement of existing accommodation providers may not be funded. 2 Applicants that are not in a position to establish that they either (a) own the project site or (b) have the right to undertake the proposed project on the identified site may not be funded. 3 Planning permission is a funding requirement. We advise all applicants to have a preplanning guidance meeting with their local Mayo County Council planner. 4 Applicants that are not tax compliant are not eligible and applicants will be required to demonstrate evidence of tax compliance at application stage. Project Accommodation Type (Please tick as appropriate) Projects must add value to an existing accommodation product or seek to convert buildings for the following accommodation types 1 B&B 2 Self-catering Accommodation 3 Hostels 4 Motorhome Parking Facilities (see appendix 1 for criteria) 5 Caravan and Camping Parks 6 New Innovative Accommodation Types Please Detail Tick project accommodation type 7 New additional services for accommodations e.g. drying rooms All accommodation projects (with exception to Motor Home Parking Facilities) must meet or exceed the Fáilte Ireland requirements for classification purposes. For Motor Home Parking Facilities see minimum entry requirements in appendix 1, page 6. For all Fáilte Ireland requirements in the follow classifications: Guest Houses, Hostels, Historic Houses with Accommodation, B&B, Self-catering, Caravan & Camping Parks; visit For innovative accommodation types see Fáilte Ireland's Welcome Standard 4

5 Project Detail (Please complete) 1 Briefly detail your capability, capacity and experience to deliver a tourism accommodation experience of the type proposed (max 200 words): 2 Please describe accurately the facilities, services and experiences you intend to provide through your accommodation project (max 200 words): 3 Detail what is innovative about your accommodation service and describe how your accommodation addresses a specific local need / requirement (max 200 words): 4 Detail compatibility and linkages with other tourism services and activities in the area (max 200 words): 5 Detail any direct or indirect employment opportunities your tourism accommodation will create or sustain in the area (max 200 words): 5

6 Applicant Declarations 1 All projects must be open to visitors for a minimum of 182 days per year (e.g. 7 days a week for 6 months). Please Tick: Yes No N/A* *N/A = Not applicable or not relevant to your project 2 The project shall comply with and be operated in accordance with all statutory requirements of local and other authorities in relation to planning, Building Bye-Laws, food, food hygiene, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions and general safety and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing shall comply with: Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, (as may subsequently be amended or modified) and regulations made thereunder including the Building Regulations 2000 Technical Guidance Document M (as may subsequently be amended or modified). Building Control Act, 1990 (as may subsequently be amended or modified) and regulations made thereunder. Where Section 34 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948 is in operation, the proprietor, in relation to the park, shall hold a license under that section. Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. Please Tick: Yes No N/A* *N/A = Not applicable or not relevant to your project 3 If relevant the business shall comply with all applicable employment legislation including, but not limited to Part IV of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 and subsequent legislation relating to the payment of minimum wages to employees. Please Tick: Yes No N/A* *N/A = Not applicable or not relevant to your project I/We wish to apply to Mayo Local Action Group under the Tourism Accommodation Funding Call for Rural Development Programme (LEADER ) funding. Signed: Signed: Name: Date: (Block Capitals) Name: Date: (Block Capitals) For Businesses / Groups, the Chairperson and one other director should sign the application form. Acknowledged by: Date: EOI Ref. No: LEADER Project Officer: For Office Use Only Date stamped and initialed on receipt 6

7 Appendix 1 - Minimum entry requirements for Motorhome Parking Facilities Motorhome parking Projects Minimum Facility Requirement 1 Controlled / secure access or reception point 2 Effluent Disposal Facilities 3 Waste Disposal / Waste Recycling Point 4 Clean Water Supply 5 Electricity Supply 6 Accessibility 7 Secure Parking Site with lighting 8 Planning Permission Tourism Accommodation Funding Call Information Form 7