Tourism Relief Fund

With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $485 million in regional priorities funding administered by Canada’s regional development agencies, with $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and the $15 million National Priorities Stream administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), this fund will position Canada as a destination of choice as domestic and international travel rebounds by:

• empowering tourism businesses to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and
• helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by providing the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world.

Indigenous applicants

Indigenous tourism projects are important to Canada’s economic recovery efforts and a priority under the Tourism Relief Fund. Under the fund, a minimum of $50 million will specifically support Indigenous tourism initiatives. Contributions to Indigenous entities (not generating profits) will normally be non-repayable. Indigenous applicants are invited to apply through the process described below.

National tourism support

Through the National Priorities Stream, ISED will deliver $15 million to support the advancement of national tourism priorities aligned with Canada’s Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. These include destination development, seasonal and geographic dispersion, and human resources and skills development. This funding will provide the opportunity to leverage the reach and expertise of national tourism organizations to support pan-Canadian or multi-regional activities—like conferences and events, training and research, and network building—focused on addressing challenges facing the tourism sector on its path to recovery.

Eligible applicants

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

• businesses
• non-profit organizations, such as tourism associations
• 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
• Provide an anchor product or service in a tourism destination

For more details on eligibility criteria, please consult the applicant guide.

Eligible activities

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.

Recognizing local realities, the regional development agencies (RDAs) will work to address the needs of businesses and communities on a regional basis, offering consistent support across Canada in this critical time. 

For more details on the eligibility criteria, please consult the applicant guide.

Financial support

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

NOTES:

• A business cannot receive a combination of a non-repayable and a repayable contribution for the same project.
• Assistance to cover operational needs will only be considered on a case-by-case basis (repayable for businesses and non-repayable for non-profits). Contact us to discuss with a program officer.

For more details on the eligibility criteria, please consult the applicant guide.

Submitting an application

Before submitting an application, please make sure to consult the applicant guide.

Once you are ready, please fill out the Tourism Relief Fund application form online, and then send us your form:

• through the application for financial assistance page; or
• by mail to the ACOA regional office in your province.

For more information on the resources available for businesses, visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan page, consult the Managing your business during COVID-19 page or download the Canada Business application.