Small tourism operators which were ineligible for the Western Australian government’s payroll tax waiver scheme will receive their own assistance in the industry’s recovery via two new programs introduced by the state government.
The state’s $10.4 million Tourism Recovery Fund and the smaller $4 million Tourism Business Survival Grants are set to include small accommodation hotels, apartment hotels, motels, resorts and other licensed venues with taxable wages under $1 million.
Eligibility criteria will require a business to be a member of a Regional Tourism Organisation, such as the Australian Tourism Export Council or others like it, or the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council.
Australian Hotels Association (WA) Chief Executive, Bradley Woods, said the initialization of the grant follows significant constructive engagement between the state government, Tourism WA and other key stakeholders within the industry.
“WA’s smaller accommodation hotels are going to require substantial support to help them through what has been the most challenging period on record.
“The business models of our industry will be considerably altered as a result of COVID-19 and the grants announced today will assist these businesses to transition,” Woods added.