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Funding for Regional Development – Tourism
Open

Grant
Last updated: 14.6.2025

The State of Hesse supports investments in innovative, high-quality, and market-driven tourism and leisure offers that are particularly effective for the region. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant for tourism services and public tourism infrastructure. The goal is to sustainably secure and further develop Hesse as a tourism destination, create new jobs, and strengthen economically weaker regions.

Who is funded

The 'Regional Development – Tourism' funding program of the State of Hesse targets a wide range of actors in the tourism sector. Primarily, public and non-profit organizations, as well as certain legal and natural persons without profit-making intentions, who wish to invest in tourism offerings and infrastructure in Hesse, are supported. The program aims to strengthen Hesse as a tourism destination, create new jobs, and develop structurally weak regions through innovative and market-oriented offerings.

What is funded

The funding program supports a wide range of tourism services and investments in public tourism infrastructure. The focus is on projects that create innovative, high-quality, and market-driven tourism and leisure offerings and improve accessibility.

Type and Scope of Funding

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant in the form of project funding through co-financing. The funding rates and maximum grant amounts vary depending on the type of project and the funding source used (state funds, GRW, ERDF).

Conditions and Requirements

To receive funding, applicants must meet a series of legal and substantive conditions. These include evidence of the project's regional tourism effectiveness, compliance with state aid regulations (especially the GBER), and specific requirements for ownership structures and the transfer of operational tasks.

Application Procedure

The application procedure for tourism funding in Hesse is centrally regulated via Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank). Applications must be submitted electronically or on an official form before the start of the project, requiring careful documentation of project details and regional effects.

The legal basis for the promotion of regional development in tourism in Hesse is formed by the specific state guidelines, which are in line with national and European requirements.

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Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

up to 20,000,000 €

Deadline

Deadline:

always open

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Demand Driven Scheme

Region

Region:

Hesse (GRW Areas, ERDF Priority Areas)

Sectors

Sectors:

Tourism, Service Sector, Healthcare, Cultural Institutions, Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Tourism & Leisure Industry, Public Institutions

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Planning, Implementation, Infrastructure, Awareness Campaigns, Capacity Building, Process Optimization, Service Delivery

Funding Provider

Program Level: Regional

Funding Body: Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas

Managed By: Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank)

Website: WI Bank