Touring Grant Program for Regional Touring Activities (Australia)

The Touring Grant Program supports eligible touring activities across Tasmania that attract interstate visitors, drive regional tourism, and strengthen the visitor economy. Grants of $2,500 to $20,000 are available for qualifying tours held between March and November that meet minimum visitor, accommodation, and regional participation requirements.

Overview of the Touring Grant Program

The Touring Grant Program provides financial support to eligible organisers delivering touring activities across Tasmania that attract visitors from outside the state and generate measurable regional tourism outcomes.

The program is designed to increase interstate visitation, encourage longer stays, and promote travel beyond Greater Hobart. By supporting touring activities, the program helps disperse visitors across Tasmania’s regions, stimulate local economies, and enhance Tasmania’s reputation as a high-quality tourism destination.

The program aligns with the Tasmanian Government Events Strategy 2023–2027, contributing to economic growth, social connection, and long-term destination branding.

Purpose and Key Objectives

The Touring Grant Program focuses on activities that deliver strong visitor economy benefits.

Key objectives include:

• Attracting interstate visitors to Tasmania

• Encouraging stays of five nights or more

• Strengthening regional tourism outcomes

• Promoting visitor dispersal beyond Greater Hobart

• Showcasing Tasmania’s landscapes, communities, and culture

• Creating distinctive and memorable travel experiences

• Generating word-of-mouth promotion and repeat visitation

Eligible Touring Activities

The program supports touring activities that travel across Tasmania and meet defined visitor and regional thresholds.

To be eligible, touring activities must:

• Take place between March and November

• Attract more than 40 participants from outside Tasmania

• Ensure participants stay five nights or more in Tasmania

• Deliver at least 40 per cent of the activity in regional areas outside Greater Hobart

• Use paid commercial accommodation for the required proportion of nights

Eligible Accommodation Types

Paid commercial accommodation includes:

• Hotels

• Motels

• Bed and breakfasts

• Cabins

Motorhome, caravan, camping, and walking touring activities may also be considered eligible, provided:

• The required proportion of nights are spent in paid accommodation

• Regional participation thresholds are met

Funding Amount and Grant Structure

Grant Value

• Minimum grant: $2,500

• Maximum grant: $20,000

How Funding Is Calculated

Grant amounts are determined using a sliding scale based on:

• The number of interstate participants

• The number of nights participants spend in Tasmania

Higher attendance and longer stays may qualify for higher funding amounts.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be registered for tax purposes in Australia

• Hold a continuously active Australian Business Number (ABN)

• Be the organiser of the touring activity

• Conduct the touring activity within the eligible period

• Meet all visitor, accommodation, and regional participation requirements

Additional Considerations

• Applications must be submitted at least two months before the touring activity begins

• Supporting documentation may be requested during assessment

• Previous performance in government grant programs may be considered

Why the Touring Grant Program Matters

Touring activities play a critical role in Tasmania’s visitor economy.

This program helps to:

• Create compelling reasons for interstate travel

• Increase length of stay and visitor spend

• Strengthen regional economies and communities

• Encourage movement throughout the state

• Build connections between visitors and local places

• Reinforce Tasmania’s brand as a destination worth revisiting

By supporting touring events, the program delivers long-term economic and social benefits across Tasmania.

How the Program Works: Step-by-Step

1. Design a touring activity that meets visitor, accommodation, and regional criteria

2. Confirm the activity will run between March and November

3. Ensure at least 40 interstate participants staying five nights or more

4. Plan for at least 40 per cent of activity delivery outside Greater Hobart

5. Gather evidence of accommodation, attendance, and tour structure

6. Submit the application at least two months before the tour start date

7. Respond to any requests for additional information during assessment

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate interstate visitor numbers and length of stay

• Provide a detailed itinerary showing regional locations

• Explain how the activity supports the visitor economy

• Highlight unique experiences and Tasmanian storytelling

• Ensure accommodation arrangements meet eligibility rules

• Submit early to allow time for clarification if needed

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying less than two months before the activity

• Not meeting the minimum interstate visitor threshold

• Insufficient use of paid commercial accommodation

• Failing to demonstrate regional participation outside Greater Hobart

• Providing unclear or unsupported attendance estimates

• Assuming camping-only activities automatically qualify

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Touring Grant Program?

It is a Tasmanian Government grant program that supports touring activities attracting interstate visitors and delivering regional tourism benefits.

2. How much funding can applicants receive?

Eligible organisers can receive between $2,500 and $20,000, depending on attendance and length of stay.

3. When must touring activities take place?

Eligible activities must be held between March and November.

4. Who qualifies as an interstate visitor?

Participants must be from outside Tasmania and stay in the state for at least five nights.

5. Is paid accommodation mandatory?

Yes. Participants must spend the required proportion of nights in paid commercial accommodation, even if other nights involve camping or caravanning.

6. How much of the activity must occur outside Greater Hobart?

At least 40 per cent of the touring activity must take place in regional areas outside Greater Hobart.

7. When should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted at least two months before the touring activity begins.

Conclusion

The Touring Grant Program is a targeted funding opportunity for organisers delivering high-impact touring activities across Tasmania. By supporting interstate visitation, longer stays, and regional dispersal, the program strengthens the visitor economy, promotes Tasmania’s diverse regions, and helps create memorable travel experiences that benefit communities across the state.