Tourism Growth Program

Receive up to $250K in Government Funding Support.

FedDev recently announced a new program to support communities, small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences. The Tourism Growth Program will support local tourism projects that will position Canada as a destination of choice for domestic and international travelers.

Funding Amount

Up to 50% to a maximum of $250K in funding support. Funding is repayable for for-profit businesses and non-repayable for not-for-profit organizations.

Eligible Applicants

Program will provide funding to: small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry; indigenous-owned businesses; not-for-profit organizations; and governments.

Eligible Activities

Eligible projects include: expanding the tourism season, increasing tourism benefits for communities by expanding tourist visits to rural areas; Indigenous tourism industry; and supporting cultural sustainability.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline is February 29^th, 2024. The next intake is scheduled to open in summer 2024. Project activities must be complete by March 31, 2026.

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Tourism Growth Program

Amount of Funding

For-Profit Businesses: Interest-free and repayable contribution up to $250K for support of up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Not-for-Profit Organizations: Non-repayable contribution up to $250K for support of up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Tourism Growth Program

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

Incorporated small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the tourism industry;
Indigenous-owned businesses (including Indigenous sole proprietors) or Indigenous tourism organizations;
Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and economic development organizations); and
Governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities).

Ineligible Applicants: restaurants and food service, hotel chains, retail sector, private leisure facilities/ event venues.

Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Tourism Growth Program

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities under this program includes projects focused on:

Supporting the Indigenous tourism industry;
Increasing tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban areas to rural areas;
Supporting economic, environmental and cultural sustainability;
Supporting active outdoor experiences (e.g., projects that provide more opportunities for physically active tourism offerings such as rock-climbing, trails, watersports, etc.);
Extending the tourism season (e.g., projects that promote and/or develop product, services or experiences with an aim of increasing tourism activity outside the traditional high season or extending their services year-round); and
Complementing support provided through provincial programs.

Example Projects

Supportable activities could include:

Improving/creating new or innovative tourism offerings or products
Investing in digitization or technology integration to enhance productivity, sustainability, efficiency and/or competitiveness
Developing and delivering new products, services or experiences to increase tourism activity outside of the traditional high season or to extend services year-round
Enhancing accessibility, creating a welcoming environment for diverse clientele

Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Tourism Growth Program

Program Deadline

Opening February 15th, 2024. Accepting application on an ongoing basis.

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