How much funding can be received?

The Entente de Partenariat Régional et de Transformation Numérique en Tourisme 2022-2025 offers a non-repayable financial contribution, with a maximum funding amount of $100,000, aiming to support the development of an attractive and sustainable regional tourism offering. Eligible activities include the implementation of tourism routes, thematic products, and other projects demonstrating tourism offer structuring and requiring collaboration with multiple partners.

grant_single_labels|projects

The grant aims to support transformative and impactful tourism initiatives that enhance regional tourism offerings. It emphasizes the development of innovative and sustainable tourism products across multiple regions.

Implementation of routes and tourist circuits.
Development of a thematic tourism product.
Any project demonstrating the structuring of the tourism offer.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for this grant require specific characteristics regarding the profile and operations of the applicant.

The applicant must be a legally constituted enterprise under the laws of Québec or Canada and conduct business in Québec.
The applicant can be a for-profit organization, a non-profit organization, a cooperative, a municipal entity, a recognized Indigenous community or nation, or a regional tourism association with additional financial partners.
The entity should have met any prior commitments made to partners if they previously received a grant.
If applicable, hospitality businesses must comply with tourism accommodation regulations and possess a proper establishment number.
Nature and adventure tourism enterprises must either comply with or commit to complying with Adventure Écotourism Québec's Quality-Safety standards.
The applicant must not be a state-owned enterprise, a government department, or listed on the register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
Enterprises must adhere to language compliance laws set by the Office québécois de la langue française.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant is specifically available to a range of eligible clients connected to the tourism industry within Quebec, aiming to foster economic stimulation and development of a sustainable and innovative tourist offer.

Tourism businesses that are either for-profit, non-profit organizations, or cooperatives.
Municipal entities which include municipalities, cities, towns, villages, regional county municipalities (MRC), and other municipal corporations.
Recognized Indigenous communities and nations, along with Indigenous tourism organizations and enterprises.
Regional tourist associations partnered with financial backers other than EPRTNT.
Any collective group formed by the aforementioned eligible clientele.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain entities and projects to ensure alignment with its goals of tourism development and digital transformation. The restrictions aim to focus resources on eligible participants who meet specified compliance and sector criteria.

State-owned corporations and government ministries or agencies of Quebec and Canada.
Companies listed on the non-eligible enterprise register for public contracts.
Businesses not complying with the Quebec Office of the French Language's francization process.
Projects within the restaurant and retail sectors.
Projects related to tourist reception and signage.
Projects associated with gambling, liquor sales, or consumption.
Projects focused mainly on infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, or replacement.
Business plans, marketing plans, and local/regional development plans.
Projects already completed or in progress at the application filing date.
Projects receiving non-refundable funding from specified tourism support programs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

Fees for specialized firms or consultants.
Travel expenses comparable to those of the ATR.
General expenses for human resources specifically dedicated to the project, including salaries and benefits.
Applicable net taxes (excluding refundable portions) related to eligible costs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies operating in regions acknowledged by Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est in the province of Quebec, Canada. Eligible locations must have legal business operations within Quebec.

Touristique companies and enterprises doing business in Quebec.
Entities recognized by Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est.
Municipalities and organizations within the territory served by Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on alignment with the specific objectives and strategic importance as outlined by the program.

Alignment with the objectives of the Entente de partenariat régional et de transformation numérique en tourisme (EPRTNT).
Impact and structuring potential (attraction power, project scope, benefits, collaboration with partners, job creation, and season extension).
Innovative nature of the project.
Quality of the concept, products, and services provided by the project.
Well-defined financial structure and project financing plan.
Relevance to the tourist clientele and market diversification, including market analysis and competitive positioning.
Project feasibility, including timeline, marketing strategy, quality of business plan or study plan, and promoter expertise.
Incorporation of sustainable development principles within the project proposal.
Alignment with regional development priorities and plans.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Preliminary Eligibility Check
Complete the pre-eligibility form to verify the main eligibility criteria.
The form will be reviewed by Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est.
Step 2: Receive Application Form
If eligible, receive the official grant application form for the EPRTNT.
Step 3: Prepare Application
Complete the EPRTNT_Structuration_TCE application form.
Gather all required documents, including project plan, financial statements, and partnership confirmations.
Step 4: Submit Application
Email the completed application form and all necessary documents to eprtnt@atrce.com.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The intervention financial offer is a non-repayable financial contribution.
The minimum eligible project cost is $30,000.
The maximum financial intervention is $100,000 and cannot exceed 30% of eligible costs for for-profit organizations or 50% for non-profit organizations and others.
The promoter's financial contribution in conjunction with that of partners cannot come from sources counted in the total government aid, asset transfers, or contributions in goods and services.
A public call for tenders is required for construction contracts worth $100,000 or more.
Projects related to construction or expansion with costs of $150,000 or more on publicly accessible sites must comply with the Government and Public Buildings and Sites Arts Integration policy.

grant_single_labels|contact

eprtnt@atrce.com

Apply to this program

Sparking Sustainable Tourism Growth

This grant is aimed at supporting tourism businesses in the Eastern Townships, helping them to develop innovative, sustainable tourism offerings that boost regional economies. It provides non-repayable financial aid aiming to enhance the attractiveness and distinctiveness of local tourism services.

In-Depth Look at the Regional and Digital Transformation in Tourism Grant

The Regional Partnership Agreement and Digital Transformation in Tourism grant (EPRTNT 2022-2025) signifies a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Eastern Townships (TCE) to foster the growth and development of tourism enterprises across Quebec, especially within the Eastern Townships. This initiative underscores the importance of aligning tourism industry practices with sustainability and innovation, driving economic benefits while supporting ecological and community values.

The EPRTNT is specifically designed to invigorate regional economies through well-structured tourism projects that promise to create new opportunities and expand existing ones, enhancing the overall attractiveness of the Eastern Townships as a travel destination. Projects under this grant are focused on developing unique tourism offerings, creating innovative tourism business models, and opening new market niches for tourism companies. The emphasis is particularly on initiatives that integrate sustainable and responsible practices, ensuring that operations contribute positively to both social and environmental contexts.

Eligible entities for this grant encompass a wide range, including both profit and non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipalities, indigenous communities, and regional tourist associations. This inclusivity ensures broad participation across different sectors and communities, strengthening the fabric of local tourism offerings. It also ensures a diverse range of ideas and markets that benefit from this strategic financial support.

Financial assistance is allocated strategically, with non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000, which can cover a maximum of 30% to 50% of project costs depending on the type of organization. This ensures that funded projects have substantial backing, providing financial relief and fostering investments into ventures that align with the strategic goals of the EPRTNT. The focus on covering eligible costs such as consultancy fees, human resources specifically dedicated to project realization, and other critical expenses illustrates the program’s commitment to supporting ventures poised for substantial and sustainable regional impact.

However, applicants need to navigate certain exclusions and regulations, safeguarding both fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment with broader development plans. For example, projects primarily focusing on the retail sector, gambling, or those entailing excessive operational overheads are not supported. This is done to maintain focus on innovation and sustainability, channeling resources towards projects that are likely to stimulate meaningful economic and social change within the region.

The accountability aspect of the grant is also stringent, requiring recipients to adhere to Quebec’s official language laws and, where applicable, advance equality access programs within organizations. This attests to a broader commitment to workplace inclusivity and cultural relevance, ensuring that the benefits of tourism development reach all community layers.

Ultimately, the EPRTNT 2022-2025 is more than just fiscal support. It is a call to action for tourism enterprises in Quebec to rise to new challenges and explore innovative paths in structuring their offerings. Engaging with this grant enables businesses to not only transform their operations but also contribute to building a sustainable and vibrant tourism ecosystem in line with regional and national strategic objectives.