Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement in tourism
QC, Canada
Revitalize regional tourism by supporting innovative, responsible, sustainable, and economically impactful projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
- Quebec Ministry of Tourism (MTO)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Available to eligible tourism businesses and organizations in the form of grants and coaching.
Maximum amounts per project category:
Attractions, activities and facilities: $75,000
Accommodations: $80,000
Festivals and events: $40,000
Studies and consulting services: $25,000
Digital business development: $50,000
Projects supported:
More than 500 projects supported since 2022.
Over 2,000 jobs created or maintained.
Increased private investment in the tourism industry.
Impacts:
Contribution to the economic vitality of Quebec's regions.
Enhanced quality of the tourism experience.
Position Québec as an innovative and sustainable tourist destination.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides financial support specifically aimed at enhancing the tourism industry's structural and digital growth. The funding terms are adaptable to the project's scope and regional requirements, emphasizing non-repayable contributions.
- Non-repayable grant funding varies by project category and region.
- A financial agreement must be signed between the project promoter and the Regional Tourism Association (ATR) managing the EPRTNT 2022-2025 for the region.
- Projects involving construction over $100,000 require a public tender to award contracts.
- Grants of $100,000 or more to non-profit organizations with over 100 employees necessitate implementing an equal access program compliant with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
- Projects for construction, expansion, or redevelopment exceeding $150,000 must allocate approximately 1% of the total cost to integrate an artwork, under the "Policy on the Integration of Arts into Architecture."
- Eligible art integration costs are included in the project's admissible expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects designed to enhance and innovate the regional tourism sector through sustainable and responsible practices. Eligible projects focus on infrastructure development, service improvement, and fostering digital interactions with tourists.
- Construction, expansion, or improvement of tourist attractions and infrastructure.
- Structuring of regional tourist offerings to represent the local theme and support multi-regional impacts.
- Development of accommodation projects addressing capacity and quality improvements, and extending operational periods.
- Support for festivals and events that draw significant visitor numbers and enliven the destination.
- Consultation services and studies enhancing workforce skills, customer service, digital needs, and sustainable practices.
- Development of digital tools like payment terminals, virtual cards, reservation systems, and delivery robots to increase customer interactions.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 50,000
Digital marketing campaign for a new tourism circuit
$ 80,000
Renovation of a historic bed and breakfast
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The grant is accessible to specific types of tourism organizations within Québec, subject to certain conditions.
- The applicant can be a for-profit or non-profit organization, a cooperative, a municipal entity, or a recognized Indigenous community or organization.
- The organization must be legally constituted according to the laws of Québec or Canada and conduct business in Québec.
- Any organization or business operating a tourist accommodation must comply with current laws and regulations, possessing a registration number.
- Eligible organizations must have honored previous commitments to partners if they received prior funding.
- Municipal entities encompass municipal organizations as per the applicable legislation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Entente de partenariat régional et de transformation numérique en tourisme 2022-2025 (EPRTNT 2022-2025) include the following types of tourist organizations established and operating in Québec: for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, recognized Indigenous communities and nations, and any grouping of these entities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Crown corporations, departments and agencies of the Quebec or Canadian governments
- Organizations listed in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts
- Organizations that do not comply with the francization process of the Office québécois de la langue française
- Individuals
- Projects not related to the development of Quebec's tourism offering
- Projects that do not meet the quality and sustainability standards of the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec
- Projects that do not generate positive economic and social spinoffs for the region
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and other exceptions may apply.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The eligible projects for this grant aim to enhance and transform the tourism industry by focusing on the development and improvement of attractions, infrastructure, and regional tourism offerings. Special emphasis is given to sustainable tourism practices and digital transformation.
- Construction, expansion, or improvement of tourism infrastructure.
- Consolidation, implementation, expansion, or modernization of attractions, equipment, activities, or tourism services.
- Development of routes and tourist circuits or thematic products representing the region.
- Projects that support regional tourism offerings and have a long-term impact across multiple areas.
- Initiatives to address accommodation shortages and improve quality in the hospitality sector.
- Organizing and enhancing festivals or events that attract significant numbers of visitors.
- Consulting services and studies for business practice improvements, skill development, and sustainable initiatives.
- Digital projects that enhance customer interactions and experience through technologies like apps and virtual systems.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies operating within specific regions in Quebec, Canada, as outlined by the regional tourism associations managing the EPRTNT 2022-2025 program.
- Region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Region of Baie-James
- Region of Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Region of Cantons-de-l'Est
- Region of Centre-du-Québec
- Region of Charlevoix
- Region of Chaudière-Appalaches
- Region of Côte-Nord
- Region of Eeyou Istchee
- Region of Gaspésie
- Region of Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Region of Lanaudière
- Region of Laurentides
- Region of Laval
- Region of Mauricie
- Region of Montérégie
- Region of Montréal
- Region of Nunavik
- Region of Outaouais
- Region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the EPRTNT 2022-2025 grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives of transforming and renewing the regional tourism offer in Quebec.
- Contribution to the renewal and enhancement of the regional tourism offer.
- Capability to generate economic benefits and stimulate the local economy.
- Implementation of responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
- Innovativeness and distinctiveness in developing new tourism niches.
- Secured financial support from partners for structuring regional tourism projects.
- Potential for long-term project sustainability exceeding three years.
- Comprehensive plan demonstrating capacity to generate outcomes across multiple partners.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Initial Contact with Regional Tourism Association (ATR)
- Contact the ATR of your region to obtain necessary application documents.
- Request the form specific to the financial aid application.
- Acquire the guide for the promoter which outlines needed documents.
- Inquire about the submission deadline for your region.
- Step 2: Preparation of Application Materials
- Complete a detailed business plan as part of the application package.
- Prepare financial statements for the past two fiscal years.
- Compile detailed projected financial statements for the first three years of operation.
- Secure a board resolution authorizing the signer to submit the application.
- Confirm if the Policy for Integration of Arts to Architecture applies and include relevant documentation.
- List required authorizations, certifications, or permits pertinent to your project.
- Include the call for tenders description for consulting projects, if applicable.
- Step 3: Submission of Application
- Submit the completed application and all required documents to the ATR of your region before the deadline.
- Ensure all forms are properly filled out and documents are accurately compiled.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Projects involving construction or refurbishment of $100,000 or more are required to conduct public tenders for the award of construction contracts.
- Organizations receiving a grant of $100,000 or more and employing over 100 people must implement an equality access program.
- A policy mandates that approximately 1% of the budget for relevant construction projects be devoted to integrating an artwork into the architecture.
- Grant applicants must ensure compliance with the new language legislation by registering and undertaking a francization process as required.
Apply to this program
Regional and Digital Transformation in Tourism: 2022-2025 EPRTNT
This grant aims to enhance the regional tourism offering by promoting innovation and sustainable practices. It supports projects that can stimulate local economies, foster new tourism niches, and implement environmentally friendly solutions.
In-Depth Look at the EPRTNT 2022-2025 Tourism Initiative
The Entente de Partenariat Régional et de Transformation Numérique en Tourisme (EPRTNT) 2022-2025 is a strategic initiative aiming to modernize and enrich the tourism landscape in Quebec. Set within the framework of the 2021-2025 Intervention Framework and the Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, it strives to deploy transformative projects that refresh regional tourism offerings and foster economic growth. By prioritizing structural projects, the EPRTNT aligns with the evolving priorities of regional tourism associations (ATR), ensuring that funded projects not only contribute to local economies but also exemplify innovative and sustainable tourism practices.
This initiative is specifically designed to stimulate regional economies by diversifying and modernizing tourism offerings. Eligible projects should involve the development or enhancement of tourist attractions, activities, and infrastructure. This includes the establishment of new pathways or thematic products that can significantly alter the tourism landscape. Moreover, projects must illustrate potential long-term impacts on multiple regional administrative territories (referred to as MRCs in Quebec), hinting at far-reaching economic benefits and collaborative efforts across territories.
Central to the EPRTNT is its focus on sustainability and responsibility in tourism. Projects under this program are encouraged to adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and integrate innovative solutions that prioritize environmental respect. This reflects a divine convergence of tourism development with ecological guardianship, seeking to usher in a new era where tourism and sustainability go hand in hand. By fostering an environment that supports the adoption of sustainable practices, the program not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint of the tourism industry but also elevates the tourism experience to be more fulfilling and eco-conscious.
Furthermore, the program opens its doors to a range of eligible applicants, including for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, and recognized Indigenous communities and organizations. This inclusivity underscores the program’s commitment to diverse participation, ensuring an array of projects that reflect unique local needs and cultural narratives. Grant applications must be accompanied by comprehensive documentation and adhere to strict compliance with Quebec laws, particularly regarding French language use in the business sector, making it crucial for applicants to prepare carefully.
In terms of financial support, the EPRTNT provides non-repayable grants, allowing recipients to invest directly into their proposed projects without the burden of repayment. There are, however, necessary conditions attached, such as the requirement to initiate a public tender for large-scale construction projects and adhere to equality measures as defined in Quebec's legal frameworks. These stipulations ensure transparency, inclusivity, and regulatory compliance, thereby optimizing the allocation and utilization of government funds.
Overall, the EPRTNT program represents a significant opportunity for tourism-related entities in Quebec to innovate, expand, and lead the industry towards a more sustainable future. By fostering projects that blend tourism development with technological advancement and environmental sustainability, the EPRTNT 2022-2025 is at the forefront of transforming Quebec's tourism sector into a model of responsible growth. Organizations that successfully navigate the application process and leverage these funds strategically will not only enhance their competitive edge but also contribute positively to the broader socio-economic fabric of their regions.