New fund will help businesses create tourism products

“We commend the resilience and creativity shown across the Atlantic Canadian tourism sector during the pandemic. Our government has enhanced and expanded measures to ensure that tourism businesses are receiving the support they need now and throughout the recovery. As we work towards the day when travel restrictions can be lifted, we will continue to invest in small businesses to create economic opportunities in our rural and urban communities.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

 

“Throughout this challenging year, the RTA and DMO in Western PEI have been on the ground, working with our tourism operators, helping them adapt, and creating new initiatives to engage the community. This partnership between ACOA and the RTAs will provide another tool for innovative thinking, and a way for our small businesses to add more value to their operations.”
- Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont

• North Cape Coastal Tourism Area Partnership works closely with its member organizations and tourism operators through a partnership-based model, delivering sales, marketing and product development on behalf of the western PEI region. The organization aims to grow tourism in the region through product innovation and development, digital marketing and professional development. 

• Tourism Summerside Ltd. (Explore Summerside) is a non-profit tourism organization representing private sector and non-commercial tourism operators in the region. It supports destination development in the greater Summerside area, and aims to position the city as a premiere, four-season travel destination.

• Funding for these projects is being provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

• The Tourism Product Ignition Fund follows a pilot project developed by Discover Charlottetown in early 2021 to create distinct assets for its member businesses to add value during the shoulder season. The initiative has since been adopted by all RTAs and DMOs in the province.

• Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada’s growth plan to create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. 

• One of the key measures in Budget 2021 includes revitalizing Canada’s tourism sector through $1 billion to help tourism businesses recover and support festivals and cultural events that provide jobs and growth in many of our cities and communities.

Associated links

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Jana Parker Smith
Communications Manager, Prince Edward Island
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Jana.Parker@ACOA-APECA.GC.CA

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