€30million announced for visitor attractions, activity operators and tourism accommodation providers by Minister Catherine Martin
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. has today announced details of the next two phases of Fáilte Ireland’s Strategic Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. The Minister made the announcement in Cork where she held meetings with members of Cork’s tourism industry.
Phases 4 and 5 of the Strategic Tourism Business Continuity Scheme will provide financial support to visitor attractions, outdoor tourism activity operators and tourism accommodation providers. Earlier phases of the Tourism Business Continuity Programme prioritised the provision of funding to a wide spectrum of tourism businesses who were unable to qualify for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS).
Phase 4 will support eligible visitor attractions and outdoor activity operators, including tourism golf courses and boat tour operators. The maximum grant amount is €800,000.
Phase 5 will apply to eligible Fáilte Ireland approved tourism accommodation providers such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, holiday camps, caravan and camping parks, self-catering and B&Bs. The maximum grant amount is €800,000.
Both Schemes will open for applications on the 5th August 2021 and close on 17th September 2021.
Announcing the next two Phases of the Scheme in Cork City as she met with members of Cork’s tourism industry, Minister Catherine Martin said: “I secured €55million for the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme in Budget 2021 to support strategically important tourism businesses through a direct financial contribution. So far three phases of the tourism business continuity schemes have been delivered by Fáilte Ireland aimed at improving the competitiveness and viability of thousands of businesses in the tourism sector. The next two phases in this programme of funding will support critical tourism businesses to continue operating throughout the important autumn and winter season.I am deeply conscious of the effects that measures taken in the interests of public health have had on businesses, in particular the hundreds of thousands of workers whose ability to make a living has been severely curtailed for so long. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Government to ensure the tourism sector is given every possible support to enable it to emerge intact from the pandemic and to build back in a more resilient and sustainable way.”
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland also speaking in Cork said: “Phases 4 and 5 are a continuation of past schemes under the rolling Tourism Business Continuity programme as we attempt to support as many tourism businesses as possible in every county across the country. COVID-19 restrictions, a shorter season and reliance on the domestic market has resulted in significant losses for tourism businesses within these sectors. Visitor attractions are one of the primary drivers of tourism demand while the accommodation sector supports tens of thousands of jobs and has a considerable wider economic impact within the destination area.”
Full details and eligibly criteria for the Attractions and Activity Tourism Operators Business Continuity Scheme and the Tourism Accommodation Providers Business Continuity Scheme will be available on www.failteireland.ie from the 5th August 2021.
Follow us on Twitter@Failte_Ireland and LinkedIn Fáilte Ireland
