Growing an innovative tourism industry in Prince Edward Island

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Government of Canada invests close to $3 million in 22 tourism projects across province to enhance offerings for visitors

May 23, 2023 · Cornwall, Prince Edward Island · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Over the past two years, Prince Edward Island’s tourism operators have adapted, modernized, and diversifed their offerings to strengthen Atlantic Canada as a destination of choice – spearheading 47 projects through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund. That work continues, and the ACOA is here to help businesses as they attract more visitors to the region and grow the industry with fresh approaches to delivering world-class tourism.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced close to $3 million in TRF support for 22 projects with businesses and organizations across Prince Edward Island. This is in addition to $2.2 million in previously announced TRF contributions to 25 Island businesses since the program launched in July of 2021.

During a visit to the Rise & Climb Adventure Course, a previously announced TRF project, Minister Petitpas Taylor showcased four new projects from across the province that demonstrate the TRF’s focus on developing innovative tourism products for the growing market of active visitors looking for soft adventure experiences:

  • $60,390 to Epic Electric Scooters, Inc. to increase its equipment inventory and expand its operations in Charlottetown, Summerside and Cavendish.
  • $54,600 to Nellie’s Landing Marina to upgrade its facilities in Murray Harbour and add a fleet of E-bikes for guests staying at the on-water accommodations.
  • $18,500 to PEI Cycling Tours, Inc. to modernize and enhance its storage facilities and create a viewing platform at the Mark Arendz Mountain Biking Park.
  • $17,666 to Tranquility Cove Adventures to upgrade its experiential shellfish harvesting operation and add a new Spring and Fall Oyster Tonging tour experience.

Since July 2021, the TRF has helped organizations in the tourism sector upgrade their products and services, enticing new visitors, and reinvigorating the economy. ACOA, along with Canada’s other regional development agencies, have been delivering the $485 million in TRF support.

Quotes

“A vibrant tourism sector is essential to a thriving economy. The Tourism Relief Fund was tailored to help businesses and organizations build on their distinct strengths to enhance local tourism experiences, modernize facilities, and contribute to sustainable growth in the industry. Through strategic investments like those announced today, ACOA is supporting a more diverse and inclusive economy in communities across Prince Edward Island and throughout the Atlantic region.”

-      The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“It’s time for Canada’s tourism sector to push past reviving all the way to thriving. Our government’s investments in tourism over the last three years focused on sustaining and rebuilding the tourism ecosystem, promoting what we have and designing for the future. A fully recovered and robust tourism sector is key to our government’s ongoing work to build an economy that works for everyone. Together, we can make sure that Canada’s tourism sector is something that visitors and Canadians alike will celebrate and enjoy for generations to come.

-      The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

"With ACOA’s support, we have been able to acquire sustainable equipment, which not only contributes to reducing our carbon footprint but also fosters innovation and job creation. This contribution aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship, and demonstrates ACOA's dedication sustainable economic growth in our region.”

-      Tafadzwa Mpaso, Epic Electric Scooters

“We are new tourism operators in Eastern PEI and we entered the industry with excitement over what we have to offer. The pandemic was devastating to all Islanders and to our Marina and business, Nellie’s Landing. Without the Tourism Relief Fund we would not be opening for the season in 2023. We are humbled by the support from the community and from ACOA.”

-      Jen Smith, Nellie’s Landing Marina

"The addition to Bits Bikes Brews at Brookvale Mountain Bike Park has helped to enhance and better position a true mountain biking highlight on PEI. Visitors from Atlantic Canada and beyond now call Brookvale their favourite mountain bike trail system in the region and Bits Bikes Brews is grateful for the assistance from ACOA in helping to create such a unique and popular destination."

-      Cynthia King, Bits Bikes Brews/PEI Cycling Tours Inc.

“I am very pleased to say that directly through the TRF from ACOA, Tranquility Cove Adventures went from a summer/ winter experiential provider to a 4 season experiential provider. Our newest addition of a floating oyster tonging platform gives us the proper infrastructure to offer visiting travelers the real oyster tonging experience, spring and fall. With only our first fall and spring offerings under our belts, we can see its already a hit.”

-      Perry Gotell, Tranquility Cove Adventures

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for our tourism operators as they work to rebuild our industry here on Prince Edward Island. These investments in our Island tourism product and soft adventure experiences are not only an investment in the economy but also in the people and the environment.”

-      Corryn Clemence, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of PEI

Quick facts

  • The Tourism Relief Fund was a $500-million national program to support the tourism sector in Canada, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

  • A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget was earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

  • $48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund was allocated to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to administer in the Atlantic region. 

  • The Tourism Relief Fund ended on March 31, 2023. 

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Jacqueline Beauregard
Director, Policy and Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 
Jacqueline.Beauregard@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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