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Financial Support

Tourism Relief Fund Now Open For Applications

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The federal government has launched the Tourism Relief Fund to help tourism businesses and organizations recover and grow. The fund is now open for applications through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

What Is The Tourism Relief Fund?

Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) will deliver $485 million directly to businesses and organizations to help them adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. In addition, $15 million, delivered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, will support destination development, seasonal and local attractions, and human resources and skills development. Of the above $500 million, a minimum of $50 million is specifically allocated to Indigenous tourism initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such as:

  • businesses;
  • not-for-profit organizations, such as tourism associations; and
  • band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.

To be eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience;
  • Be part of a defined tourism cluster or a tourism dependent community, including supporting downtown cores; or
  • Provide an anchor product or service in a tourism destination.

What Kind Of Projects Are Eligible? 

Tourism Relief Fund projects will focus on:

  • Product development: For example, projects that enhance tourism experiences; help tourism businesses adapt to the “new normal,” to 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.

How Much Financial Support is Available? 

  • Contributions to businesses will be either:
    • non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50 percent of eligible costs; or
    • fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75 percent of eligible costs.

*NOTE: A business cannot receive a combination of a non-repayable and a repayable contribution for the same project.

  • Not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous entities (not generating profits) will be eligible for non-repayable contributions.
    • Project contribution amounts would not exceed $500,000. The actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to carry out the project.

How Do I Apply? 

All applicants should consult the Applicant Guide before submitting an application: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/acoa-apeca/documents/trf-applicant-guide.pdf

To apply, visit ACOA’s Tourism Relief Fund Page: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/campaigns/covid19/trf.html