Mayo Fianna Fáil TD, Dara Calleary, is encouraging Mayo-based tourism operators and service providers to examine the new €55 million Tourism Business Continuity Scheme that was launched by Fáilte Ireland this week.
Deputy Calleary said: "This scheme will support those tourism businesses that were not eligible for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS ) payment or previous Fáilte Ireland continuity grant schemes of last year.
"Tourism operators in Mayo have faced the greatest challenge ever in the past year and I am delighted that this new scheme is now coming on stream to assist those businesses who were previously excluded from funding.
"Domestic tourism will be the first to return, and this investment will help local operators and service providers to maintain their businesses into the year ahead and beyond by offsetting fixed costs incurred in 2020 and providing support for 2021.
"The first phase of the €55 million Tourism Business Continuity Scheme opens for applications on February 11, to businesses including outdoor activity providers (eg bike tours, surf schools, kayaking tours, angling, tourist boat-tour operators, hop on hop off bus tours with onboard tourism experiences, walking tours, instructor led/guided tourism equestrian experiences and golf courses with a tourism offering ), visitor attractions not eligible for CRSS (eg attractions with charity/not for profit status or that are primarily outdoor attractions ), caravan and camping providers registered with Fáilte Ireland and cruise hire companies who meet the eligibility criteria."
To be eligible for the scheme: (1 ) A business’ monthly turnover from October 2020 to January 2021 must be less than 25% of its average monthly turnover in 2019; (2 ) The business must have a minimum annual turnover of €50,000 and minimum fixed costs of ten per cent of turnover; and (3 ) The business must not be eligible to apply for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS ) or have received funding through the Fáilte Ireland Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme or Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme.
"The minimum grant is €3,750 and the maximum grant is €200,000. Full details and eligibility criteria will be available on www.failteireland.ie from February 11 2021 and I am encouraging any business or sole trader operating in this sphere to make enquiries and submit their applications in a timely manner," said Deputy Calleary.
