VISITOR EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM 2018 and 2019 PROGRAM GUIDELINES Program Guidelines Page 1
VISITOR EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM GUIDELINES 1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Northern Territory Government is providing $3 million over two years through a Visitor Experience Enhancement Program, to assist the tourism industry undertake projects that will improve the on-ground visitor experience in the NT. Recommendations from family, friends and through social media are reported to be up to eight times more powerful than advertising in encouraging people to travel to a destination. The Visitor Experience Enhancement Program seeks to enable the tourism industry to improve its customer experience so more visitors will recommend the Territory to others. One off funding of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) is available per business. For projects that are over $10,000 (excluding GST), a business will be expected to provide a matching cash co-contribution. Successful projects must: a) Be strategic in nature by delivering benefits to an individual business, multiple businesses or to a region; b) Be able to demonstrate through existing customer feedback the need for the visitor experience enhancement; c) Demonstrate how the proposal will enhance the visitor experience, increase favourable visitor reviews and increase visitor numbers; d) Be able to be completed by 30 June 2019; and e) Include a matching cash co-contribution from the business (for applications over $10,000 excluding GST). In-kind contributions are not considered towards matching funds. These grants will complement the business focussed grants offered and administered by the NT Department of Trade, Business and Innovation. Program Guidelines Page 2
2. AVAILABLE FUNDING A total pool of $3 million (GST exclusive) is available. There will be two rounds of funding: 1. Round one: $1 million for projects to commence before 30 June 2018 and 2. Round two: $2 million for projects in the 2018-19 financial year. Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate the greatest need for visitor enhancement. Applications under this program will be considered with reference to other NT Government funding which you may have accessed or qualified for. Applicants should provide evidence that local NT suppliers and local content will be used to deliver the project. 3. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS To be supported through this program, businesses must: have a significant tourism focus; be legally constituted; be Australian registered; currently operate in the NT and employ resident Territorians. Both for profit and not for profit organisations are eligible to apply. Agencies of Government, Regional Tourism Organisations and other membership-based associations are not eligible to apply. 4. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES As a guide only, examples of projects may include (but are not limited to): 1. Infrastructure upgrades to address shortcomings in the current visitor experience (e.g. new walking trails, upgraded or additional visitor or staff accommodation, upgraded reception areas or foyers, retrofitting existing tour busses or cruise vessels). 2. Implementation of new technology to improve the visitor experience on-ground in the NT; 3. Development of new visitor experiences that diversify the tourism offering in the region based on customer feedback, such as niche experiences that target high growth or high yield market segments (e.g. fishing, bushwalking, mountain biking, bird-watching, education); 4. Value adding existing experiences with additional activities (e.g. high quality interpretative or interactive tourism signage). Any road signage must align to national standards and requirements of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics. Businesses are only eligible to access this grant once. Program Guidelines Page 3
5. INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Applications will not be accepted for: Activities that have commenced before the grant has been approved; Upgrading or developing facilities predominantly for local community use or where there is no clearly defined visitor benefit; Marketing, advertising, product promotion activities, regular repairs and maintenance or travel; Administrative or running costs that are normally the responsibility of a business (e.g. rent, insurances, auditing and finance costs etc.), state or territory administration or local council; Wages or salaries for an applicant s employees; The purchase or lease of mobile/ portable assets including, but not limited to, computers (e.g. desktops or laptops), motor vehicles (e.g. cars, busses or motorcycles), outboard engines and boats; Purchase or lease of real estate of any type; and Applications for activities that can be supported via other government support programs such as the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation s start. run. grow. suite of programs (www.startrungrow.nt.gov.au). Applications will not be accepted where an applicant has not fully acquitted any previous funding from Tourism NT. Please take care to ensure ineligible activities are not included in any application. 6. INDICATIVE DATES There will be two intakes of applications for this program. Key dates follow: Round 1 Round 2 Nomination period opens February 2018 1 July 2018 Closing date for project nominations 1 30 April 2018 1 October 2018 Consideration of projects by the NT May 2018 November 2018 Notification of successful recipients End May 2018 End November 2018 Funding Agreements finalised June 2018 December 2018 These dates are indicative and may be changed if necessary (for example, if a larger than anticipated volume of potential projects received). Projects may be supported that have been identified through this or another process. All projects must be completed before 30 June 2019. 1 Applications will be accepted up to midnight (ACST) on the closing date. Program Guidelines Page 4
7. NOMINATION PROCESS The program will operate via a merit based nomination process. Assessment of projects is by a panel based on written project proposals. Project proposals (via the nomination form and associated details advised below) are to be forwarded by email to strategy.tourism@nt.gov.au or by mail to Visitor Experience Enhancement Program, Tourism NT, GPO Box 1155, Darwin NT 0801. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. An email confirmation will be sent within two working days of receipt of each application. In the event a confirmation is not received, applicants should phone 08 8999 5198 to check progress of the nomination form. Further discussions with applicants may be required to confirm details in the nomination form and/or supporting documents. The NT Government may conduct credit checks and other due diligence processes as part of the assessment process. 8. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Eligibility of projects will be assessed based on alignment with the criteria detailed at section 1 on page 2. Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the nominated project will enhance the visitor experience, increase favourable visitor reviews and increase visitor numbers. This could be through providing evidence of customer feedback via social or other platforms (e.g. Trip Advisor, hotel review websites, customer satisfaction surveys) where there is a documented product gap or identified upgrade. In accordance with its Buy Local policy, the NT Government is committed to the development of business and industry in the NT and supporting Territory enterprises. Except where it is impractical for technical reasons, projects should use labour available within the NT and source services, supplies and materials from within the NT. Program Guidelines Page 5
9. FUNDING AGREEMENT A legally binding funding agreement will be entered into between the Northern Territory Government and successful applicants. The terms and conditions of the agreement will be determined based on the nature of the activity proposed. The agreement will set out: The rights and obligations of the Northern Territory Government and the funding recipient. Requirements with respect to buy local provisions and cash co-contribution, noting if these conditions where applicable are not met during project acquittal, Applicants will be required to repay grant funding to the Department. Agreed project plan and budget as per application. Reporting and funding acquittal requirements. Requirements for recognising NT Government support and promotional obligations arising from receipt of funding. Applicants should note details of successful funding recipients will be advised publicly and recorded in the Department s annual report. Professional indemnity insurance requirements. 10. FURTHER INFORMATION For further information contact strategy.tourism@nt.gov.au or telephone 08 8999 5198. A copy of these Guidelines is available at: http://www.tourismnt.com.au/en/industryresources/grants-and-funding. Tourism NT s corporate website www.tourismnt.nt.gov.au is a valuable resource for accessing information to support applications including tourism research and strategies. Program Guidelines Page 6
VISITOR EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM NOMINATION FORM 1. APPLICANT and BUSINESS DETAILS Business Name: Trading Name: ABN: GST Registered: YES / NO: Contact Person: Position: Postal Address: Telephone: Email: Website: Project Completion Date: Funding requested (ex GST): Funding requested (inc GST): $ Total project value (inc GST): $ 2. PROJECT OVERVIEW - 4 page maximum A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING: Outline of the scope of the project; Location of the project to be funded under the program; Address core program requirements: Demonstrate benefit to an individual business, multiple businesses or region; Demonstrate with evidence the need for the project and how it will enhance your visitors experience, increase favourable visitor reviews and increase visitation (this may be customer reviews or feedback); Confirm the project can be completed by 30 June 2019. Overall project budget, including co-contribution. Please provide both GST inclusive and exclusive figures. Photographs or drawings (if relevant can be in addition to 4 page document). 3. DECLARATION (To be completed by the Business s Authorised Representative) By ticking this box I confirm that I accept the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program Guidelines and declare that the statements made in this form are true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if my nomination is successful the NT Government may publicise or promote its support of my business. Name: Signature: Date: / / 2018 Email to strategy.tourism@nt.gov.au Program Guidelines Page 7
Visitor Experience Enhancement Program 208 and 2009 - Nomination Form More information: Visitor Experience Enhancement Program Tourism NT GPO Box 1155 DARWIN NT 0801 T: 8999 5198 E: strategy.tourism@nt.gov.au www.tourismnt.com