AusLeisure

Up to $3.6 million in grants under the Victorian Government’s First Peoples Tourism Industry Strengthening Program are now available. These grants will create and expand tourism offerings that celebrate and empower family, community, culture and Country.

The program was developed based on feedback from the community and is now open for applications from Victoria's 12 Registered Aboriginal Parties, with grants of up to $300,000 available. Registered Aboriginal Parties provide advice and knowledge on matters relating to Aboriginal places and objects in their region.

The new program will support First Nations tourism businesses across the state and builds on the State Government's Experience Victoria 2033 (EV33) plan to strengthen Victoria's visitor economy through five key pillars - First Nations-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink, and nature.

In 2023, more than 500,000 people visited Victoria and participated in First Peoples tourism experiences as part of their travels - spending a total of $1.3 billion.

The First Peoples Tourism Industry Strengthening Program will provide even more support to this growing sector, backing these unique organisations to grow their one-of-a-kind tourism offerings.

The State Government announced its Victorian Aboriginal Business Investment Program in July 2024, which is another way the Government is backing First Nations communities and their businesses.

Applications are open until 10th April 2025. For more information about the program, visit tourism.vic.gov.au.

Image. Aboriginal heritage walk Melbourne royal botanic gardens. Credit: Visit Victoria

Related Articles

17th January 2025 - Indigenous tourism to be expanded across Western Australia

11th October 2024 - WTTC launches Indigenous Tourism report at Global Summit in Perth

20th May 2024 - MCG to host this year’s Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference

3rd April 2024 - Indigenous tourism projects in Northern Territory secure $6 million in new funding

21st March 2023 - World Indigenous Tourism Summit hosting passes from Perth to Taiwan

3rd June 2022 - Queensland’s Indigenous tourism sector to receive $4 million boost

26th February 2021 - $40 million funding support announced for Indigenous Tourism

31st October 2024 - Tourism and Transport Forum welcomes First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership

14th September 2024 - New Queensland Arts legislation grows recognition of First Nations peoples

31st August 2024 - First Nations Report spotlights success of trade and tourism businesses

3rd July 2024 - ICC Sydney celebrates NAIDOC Week alongside First Nations community partner KARI

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.