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Regional events funding now open

12 February 2009

After the Tour Down Under focussed world attention on South Australia, the State Government has opened applications for event funding through the its 2009/2010 Regional Events and Festivals Program and the Community Events Development Fund.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says events are critical to the pride and confidence of the State."

"South Australia has developed an impressive events calendar that builds local confidence, profiles the State as a tourism destination and attracts tourists,' Dr Lomax-Smith says.

"Major events such as the Tour Down Under put South Australia on the tourism map and bring thousands of visitors here from interstate and overseas.

"However, South Australia also has an incredible array of great regional events that range from the quirky to the indulgent, and these are important tourism drawcards for towns and regions.

"The State Government is committed to getting the word out about these events so that as many visitors as possible get the chance to experience them, bringing extra tourism dollars into regional economies and contributing towards our goal of making tourism in South Australia a $6.3 billion industry by 2014.

"The funding available through the State Government's 2009/2010 Regional Events and Festivals Program can be used for event promotion, media and marketing activities."

The 2008/09 Regional Events and Festivals Program supported more than 40 tourism events, including the Lobethal Grand Carnival, Bay to Birdwood, Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations, Port Lincoln Tunarama, Feast Festival, Riverland Renaissance and Kernewek Lowender.

The closing date for applications for the Regional Events and Festivals Program is Tuesday 31 March 2009.

Events are assessed against a series of criteria, which includes: tourist visitation, media coverage, future viability and event timing.

For further information on how to apply: www.tourism.sa.gov.au/industryinfo

Events organisers can also contact South Australian Tourism Commission Sponsored Events Co-ordinator, Hannah Kilmore, on (08) 8463 4706 or hannah.kilmore@tourism.sa.com