Tourism Related Businesses Urged to Take the Initiative
Applications are currently being sought for the latest round of grants from the Innovation and Development Fund, which funds inventive tourism-boosting projects in Angus and Dundee.
The Innovation and Development Fund is jointly-funded by Destination Dundee and Angus and Dundee Tourism Partnership. The Fund is open to businesses, partnerships, community organisations and private individuals and considerable sums are available. Applications are usually considered by the Fund's steering group every six months, although, in 2010, additional calls for applications have been introduced to encourage more applications.
In May 2009, three successful applicants to the Innovation and Development Fund shared a total of over £30,000.
Thanks to funding from the Innovation and Development Fund, one of Dundee's top music festivals - Fest 'n' Furious - was able to employ an online marketing assistant and benefit from various online marketing techniques, including a free music download campaign and an enhanced internet presence though the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
"Our online marketing activities made a tremendous difference to Fest 'n' Furious 2009," said Emily Dewhurst of Dundee City Council, one of the Festival's key partners. "Compared to 2008 figures, web traffic increased by around 10,000 visitor sessions, audience numbers more than doubled and the estimated economic impact almost tripled."
In Angus Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort used their grant to introduce outdoor adventure tourism and Caroline and Ross Millar applied for funding so they could take an existing farm diversification to the next level as a stand alone tourism business offering luxury romantic breaks at The Hideaway Experience.
The next round of applications to the Innovation and Development Fund will close on 31 January, 2010. For more information, email externalfunding@angus.gov.uk or call 01307 473222.
