Territory tourism operators will benefit from grant funding of $1.5 million to enhance their visitor offerings under Round 3 of the Visitor Experience Enhancement Program (VEEP).

Part of Turbocharging Tourism, the Territory Labor Government will provide 57 NT tourism operators with enhancements grants across Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Barkly, Alice Springs, and Yulara.

VEEP provides one-off funding of up to $50,000 per business, with businesses providing a matching cash co-contribution.

The 57 operators funded in this round are investing more than $3.5 million taking the total investment towards improving tourism experiences to more than $5 million.

Overall, the VEEP program has provided more than $4.5 million through three funding rounds with 172 businesses receiving grants for projects that will be completed by December 2020.

In Darwin, tourists and locals will see a new and improved Cage of Death experience at Crocosaurus Cove. As Australia’s only Saltwater Crocodile Dive it is has attracted around 75,000 visitors over the past 11 years.

Top End highlights funded in Round 3 include upgrades to Mimi Restaurant at Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu, and upgrades and enhancements to the pool, BBQ and gardens area at the Pine Tree Motel in Katherine.

Local and visiting sailors and patrons of the Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association will soon be able to enjoy a meal year-round in the side garden seating area, with a new roof funded to protect patrons from the elements during the wet season.

In the Red Centre, highlights include a visitor Wi-Fi project at Erldunda Roadhouse, funding for the Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation to undertake upgrades to the visitors catering area at the popular cultural destination Standley Chasm, and the creation of a new permanent Australian & Afghan Cameleers Museum for Uluru Camel Tours based at Yulara.

For more information on VEEP visit www.tourismnt.com.au.

VEEP Round 4 will open in 2020 through the Grants NT portal www.grantsnt.nt.gov.au

Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Lauren Moss:

“Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool; recommendations from family, friends and through social media is up to eight times more influential than advertising when it comes to encouraging people to travel to a destination.

“Supporting tourism operators to improve their customer offerings ensures that visitors go home and share positive stories about their time in the Territory.

“Importantly, the Government’s VEEP investment is unlocking private investment, so the benefits are far-reaching.

“VEEP has a buy-local focus which means the associated upgrades and infrastructure improvements create and help to support local jobs.

Quotes from General Manager, Crocosaurus Cove, Penny Eckel:

“The Cage of Death dive is one of our key activities at the park, attracting a large number of interstate and international visitors to Darwin to experience Australia’s only Saltwater Crocodile Dive.”

“The VEEP grant program is a welcomed initiative and we are delighted to be one of the recipients.  This co-investment has given us the assistance we needed to further improve the Cage of Death dive by enhancing the experience to include a family element.”

Media Contact: Lisa Sennett 0436 929 858