On 1st February 2021, Fáilte Ireland announced details of a new €55 million Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which is intended to support those tourism businesses that were not eligible for Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) payments or previous Fáilte Ireland continuity grant schemes
– TBCS is aimed at helping eligible tourism businesses offset their fixed costs and support them to continue operating through 2021
– Phase 1 of the scheme opened for applications on 11th February 2021 with Phase 2 to follow in March 2021
– The deadline for submitting applications for phase 1 is Monday, 8 March 2021
Business categories who meet the eligibility criteria
1) Outdoor activity providers (e.g. bike tours, surf schools, kayaking tours, angling, walking tours, instructor led/guided tourism equestrian experiences)
2) Golf courses with a tourism offering
3) Tourist boat tour operators
4) Hop on/ hop off bus tours with onboard tourism experiences 5) Visitor attractions not eligible for CRSS (e.g. attractions with charity / not for profit status or that are primarily outdoor attractions)
6) Caravan and camping providers registered with Fáilte Ireland
7) Cruise hire companies
To be eligible for the scheme
– A business’ monthly turnover from October 2020 to January 2021 must be less than 25% of its average monthly turnover in 2019
– The business must have a minimum annual turnover of €50,000 – The business must not be eligible to apply for the 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 available is €3,750 and the maximum grant is €200,000
Further Information Full details and eligibility criteria are on the Fáilte Ireland website here
