Now Open to Apply
The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports tourism businesses, non-profits, and organizations to adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:
- empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
- helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
Tourism Relief Fund projects will focus on:
- Product development: For example, projects that enhance tourism experiences; help tourism businesses adapt to the “new normal” and modernize their offerings; and, encourage the adoption of more environmentally sustainable and inclusive practices.
- Destination development: For example, projects that position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities through strategic planning for medium- to long-term investments, as well as supporting destination development prospects in line with objectives set out in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy.
Applicants must fall under one of the following categories to be eligible for funding:
- A key supplier/operator in the visitor experience
A key supplier/operator in the visitor experience is one that provides the infrastructure and services necessary to support a tourism economy, connects tourism product to potential markets, leads planning for sustainable destination development and supports capacity building/skill development in the sector, etc. - Part of a defined tourism cluster
A tourism cluster is a geographic concentration of businesses and organizations involved in tourism, linked by common and complementary products and services that are tailored for the visitor economy and supported by a network of services and associated institutions. A tourism cluster can include- but is not limited to- a community or region that is dependent on tourism for economic activity or is transitioning towards a more tourism-focused local economy. - An anchor product in a destination
An anchor product in a destination is defined as a key asset that serves as a motivator of travel to the region. It is the activity or product that provides the catalyst for the visitor to visit the destination. Anchor products may be operated by for-profit or not-for-profit organizations.
Note: You may fit under more than one of these categories and will have the opportunity to explain how under the project activities area.
Eligible applicants need to be part of the tourism ecosystem and will include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors (not including local residents). The following eligible applicants include:
- incorporated businesses, primarily small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations)• municipalities, municipal organizations, Crown corporations and related parties
- Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned business or an indigenous organization such as Indigenous-led not-for-profits and organizations which include but are not limited to First Nations as represented by their Chief and Council, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Representative Organizations, Métis and Inuit organizations and Settlements as well as Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned organizations
Ineligible recipients
Businesses that are in the following industries are normally not eligible under this initiative:
- restaurants
- retail sector
- hotel chains
Note: In exceptional cases, restaurants and Canadian-owned hotels may be considered for funding if they are an anchor product and the main reason for attracting tourists to the region. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Additional information
- project costs must be incurred by March 31, 2023
- located in Western Canada
- submit a fully complete application
Note: Incomplete applications, with missing mandatory information or documentation, will not be assessed and will be considered ineligible for funding.