As part of its recovery plan for the tourism sector, the Province of West Flanders is launching a project call for transition support.
Tourism enterprises that invest to make their businesses coronaproof can be reimbursed half of their costs up to a maximum of 7,500 euros.
Who is eligible?
Three categories of private players from the tourism sector are eligible, as long as they have a company number and their activity is linked to at least half-time employment (employee or self-employed):
1. Lodging:
Family hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, campgrounds, vacation centers, type C youth and group accommodations, and hostels.
The accommodations must be notified, recognized or still licensed according to the Flemish
Lodging Decree or under the Tourism for All Decree.
2. Museums & attractions:
Private museums and visitor centers, amusement and theme parks, breweries and wine estates, beach clubs, adventure parks, children's and visiting farms, bicycle, go cart, scooter, solex and boat rentals, battlefield tours, covered wagon rides,...
The museum or attraction must target a tourist audience, be sufficiently open during tourist-relevant periods with a fixed schedule of opening hours, and have a visitor registration system.
3. Tourist information points. which have been recognized by Westtoer.
What qualifies?
The company must invest in any of the three types of measures listed below :
- Measures required in the short term to ensure the safety and hygiene of visitors and employees : provision of mouth masks and hand gel, installation of plexiglass, demarcation of areas, definition of walking lines,...
- Measures and investments that in the medium term (2020-2021) will make the accommodation companies, museums and attractions more coronaproof in a structural and innovative way: digital applications, interventions in the visitors' route, adaptations in breakfast rooms and other common areas, interventions in the common sanitary facilities, layout of (outdoor) areas with experience bubbles for families and small groups, ...
- Communication and marketing actions to re-market the company upon restart.
The grant is given as a financial contribution to the infrastructure and operating costs of the project. Personnel costs are not eligible.
All costs with an invoice date of March 15, 2020 or later are eligible.
How much is the support ?
The grant shall not exceed 50 % of the costs budgeted in the financing plan including VAT, to the extent that such VAT is not deductible for the applicant.
The grant is capped at 2,500 euros, 5,000 euros or 7,500 euros, depending on the size and activity of the company.
How to apply ?
Project proposals may be submitted, using the appropriate application form with attachments (financial table and business plan template, ...), to the Province no later than September 15, 2020 at 10 am.
More info ?
All official information can be found on corporate.westtoer.be/reliance
With your questions about this support measure you can also contact our subsidy expert. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 051 26 82 68 or by e-mail at info@titeca.be.
