Capricorn Caves attraction among 50 Queensland visitor experiences to receive funding

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Capricorn Caves attraction among 50 Queensland visitor experiences to receive funding

October 16, 2022

Attractions / Environment / Finance / Hospitality / Tourism /

Capricorn Caves, one of Queensland’s original visitor attractions, is among 50 visitor experiences to receive funding from the State’s $15 million Tourism Experience Development initiative.

Capricorn Caves will use the funding to upgrade its accessibility.

The combined value of the 50 proposed new and updated tourism experiences is approximately $56 million.

QLD Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the initiative was part of Queensland’s response to the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Action Plan for tourism recovery.

Minister Hinchliffe advised “since the pandemic visitors have sought out more of Queensland’s unique natural attractions but with a much lighter tourism impact.

“A hybrid-electric powered Great Barrier Reef catamaran is one of the projects we’re getting behind with $200,000 toward the boat’s $3.2 million construction cost.

“The 24-metre Eco Cat will be the Tropical North’s first hybrid-electric tour boat with fewer environmental and noise impacts on the reef.”

18 ecotourism projects are being supported by the Tourism Experience Development Fund including:

Four eco-cabins, four glamping experiences and common use infrastructure at the High Valley Dawn farm-stay near Yeppoon
Sea World Cruises’ underwater audio-visual system for immersive whale watching experiences on a smartphone app, and

Funding support has also been approved for an innovative vertical fine dining restaurant above the Brisbane Powerhouse featuring eight tables, mounted four stories high.

Minister Hinchliffe said the Tourism Experience Development initiative had funded up to a quarter of individual project costs to a maximum of $200,000.

“This initiative is helping operators bring bright ideas to life and build back better for Queensland’s tourism recovery.

“As the Action Plan for Tourism Recovery has found, to remain a cutting-edge relevant international destination we need to continually reimagine and reinvent.”

Image: Capricorn Caves

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7th October 2022 - Tourism ministers collaborate to support Australia’s visitor economy recovery

29th September 2022 - National Visitor Survey shows record visitation to The Whitsundays

17th September 2022 - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre welcomes one-millionth visitor ahead of 10th anniversary in November

2nd September 2022 - Princess Margaret Rose Cave to receive safety upgrades and improved visitor facilities

9th August 2022 - Visitors encouraged to discover Newcastle’s more eclectic tourism experiences

29th June 2022 - $15 million to help Queensland operators fast-track new and enhanced visitor attractions

31st March 2022 - Record spending by visitors to Tropical North Queensland

23rd March 2022 - Big Red Group partners with Destination Gold Coast to incentivise interstate visitors

23rd February 2022 - Visitor Experience Training facility opens in Launceston to support hospitality and tourism industry

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