Tourism organizations in southern Ontario can now apply for Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) through FedDev Ontario.
The fund is being delivered across the country by Canada’s regional development agencies with a budget of $500 million over two years, including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives.
Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors such as businesses, not-for-profit organizations like tourism associations and band councils, or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.
To be eligible for the fund, applicants must either be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience, be part of a defined tourism cluster or tourism-dependent community, including supporting downtown cores or provide an anchor product or service in a destination.
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.
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 and a business cannot receive a combination of a non-repayable and a repayable contribution for the same project.
The actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to carry out the project.
The money will go towards projects that focus on product and destination development.
For more details on eligibility and on how to apply, please contact FedDev Ontario at 1-866-593-5505.
The agents are well versed in existing funding options and can help you find other solutions that may be available.
Find out more here: www.feddevontario.gc.ca/TRF