Tourism Relief Fund

The Tourism Relief Fund 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.

Applications will be accepted and funded on a continuous intake basis over the next two years or until such a time as the allocated funding is fully distributed.