Funding woos events to Whitsundays

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is set to develop a multi-purpose conference facility after receiving a $250,000 government grant last week.

The funding, delivered under the Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF), will allow the resort to improve its existing events venue and construct a new meetings and conference facility catering for up to 100 guests. Various room and facility upgrades will also be completed. 

Welcoming the funding as an “exciting” opportunity for the resort, owner Greg McKinnon said the TIRF grant would allow the resort to capitalise on MICE tourism in the region.

“This grant will enable us to move quickly and develop something that was just at conceptual stage,” he said. “Having received the only grand in the Whitsunday region we are keen to get the project underway and maximise the potential of the business events offering for the Whitsundays.”

Former minister for resources, energy and tourism Martin Ferguson last week handed out 65 grants totalling $13.1million under the first round of the TIRF program.