Tourism SME.Invest

The funding program "Tourism SME.Invest" is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism and leisure industry with investment locations in Carinthia. It supports targeted investments in structural measures, operational and business equipment, machinery, as well as software products that serve quality improvement, optimization of operational size, infrastructure measures, business expansions, or sustainable, environmentally friendly, and barrier-free priorities. A prerequisite is the approval of a low-interest investment loan from the Austrian Hotel and Tourism Bank (OeHT), covering up to 70% of the eligible costs. An additional sustainability bonus from the OeHT is available for particularly resource-saving subprojects. On this basis, the Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF) grants a non-repayable subsidy of up to 10% of the eligible costs, with a maximum of EUR 200,000. The combination of these funding instruments strengthens the financing structure of tourism businesses and promotes investment projects with a volume of at least EUR 100,000.

With "Tourism SME.Invest," the KWF aims to secure and expand the competitiveness and resilience of regional tourism businesses in the long term. By promoting sustainable, energy-efficient, and climate-friendly investment projects, the program contributes to environmental and climate protection. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2026; the decisive criteria are proof of an energy certificate (not older than three years) and compliance with the de minimis and EU state aid regulations. Applications are submitted exclusively via the OeHT online portal, with the attached KWF supplement sheet being mandatory. This provides companies with comprehensive support in planning and implementing their investment projects while simultaneously contributing to strengthening Carinthia as a business location.