Tourism PEI is a provincial crown corporation created under the Tourism PEI Act and housed within the PEI Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture. Its mandate is to champion the tourism industry and market Prince Edward Island as a premier travel destination, while managing key tourism infrastructure and regulatory responsibilities.
Role in the tourism funding ecosystem
Beyond marketing and operations, Tourism PEI plays a central role in delivering financial support to the tourism sector. Through its Tourism Funding & Supports portfolio, the organization promotes and helps administer a range of grants and partnership programs aimed at non-profit associations, communities and tourism businesses across the Island.
The Tourism PEI Festivals & Events Fund provides direct financial assistance to eligible non-profit groups to offset the costs of organizing and promoting festivals and events that attract visitors. Funding tiers are based on anticipated attendance, with defined contribution levels for events drawing up to 1,000 visitors and larger grants for higher-volume activities.
Other highlighted programs include the Tourism PEI Hosting Grant, which supports conferences and meetings by offering per‑delegate funding up to a set maximum, and the Tourism Innovation Fund, which helps not-for-profit tourism entities create or upgrade cultural tourism products and extend their operating season. Tourism PEI also promotes broader provincial initiatives such as the Seasonal Extension Tourism Product Development Fund and the Beach Infrastructure Program, which provide grants for off-season product development and upgrades to public beach infrastructure.
Publics served and impact
Funding programs are designed primarily for community-based non-profit organizations, tourism operators and event organizers whose projects align with provincial tourism strategies. Typical objectives include increasing non-resident visitation, encouraging four-season tourism, improving visitor experiences and strengthening local capacity to host signature events and meetings.
Applications are generally processed on a first-come, first-served basis until budgets are fully allocated, with clear criteria such as visitor appeal, marketing plans, private and community support and financial need. By combining strategic planning, research and targeted financial assistance, Tourism PEI helps foster sustainable growth in Prince Edward Island’s tourism economy.
