Support fund for the development of tourism offers

• Project application form
• Board resolution or letter from the owner
• Most recent annual financial statements
• Project financing package

Who is eligible?

Businesses and organizations offering tourism activities in various regions of Quebec that are looking to invest in the enhancement and diversification of their tourism offerings. Eligible entities include:- For-profit organizations such as corporations or partnerships.- Non-profit organizations or cooperatives.- Municipal entities such as regional county municipalities or other eligible municipal organizations.These organizations should seek financial support ranging from $25,000 to $60,000 and aim to increase their tourism capacity to attract visitors from markets outside Quebec. Their projects should focus on consolidation, enhancement, diversification, and deployment of tourism offers.

Who is not eligible

• Activities, tourist attractions, major festivals and events that already attract tourists from outside Quebec;
• Retail establishments;
• Accommodation facilities (hotels, camping, bed and breakfasts, inns, etc.);
• Dining establishments;
• Chartered or regular transport companies that do not offer tourism-related activities, such as tours, wildlife watching, etc.;
• Travel agencies;
• Sole proprietorship;
• Service businesses such as aggregators, resellers, promoters, or distributors;
• Businesses that do not hold the required operating license or mandatory accreditation in their sector;
• Applicants who, in the two years prior to the application for financial aid, have failed to meet their obligations after being duly notified to do so in the allocation of previous financial aid;
• Indigenous tourism establishments.

Eligible expenses

• Immobilization costs, including equipment and material rolling, and building or leasehold improvements.
• Professional fees associated with the project.
• Other project realization costs.
• Salaries and social benefits, justified based on actual working hours dedicated to the project's realization, up to a maximum of 30 $/h.
• Project management fees of 5% of eligible costs up to a maximum of $3,330.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies situated in regions throughout Quebec. The initiative focuses on enhancing tourism offerings across various locales within the province.

• All regions of Quebec.

• The project's alignment with strategic goals and priorities of the grant, such as regional dispersion of tourists, sustainable tourism, active tourism, and prolonging the tourist season.
• Viability of the project, including a complete and realistic financial plan.
• Clear definition and timeline for implementation stages in compliance with program deadlines.
• Realistic assessment of expected costs and operational revenues post-implementation.
• Contribution to the region's attractiveness to external markets (e.g., improved accessibility, increased capacity, enhanced revenue opportunities).
• Support from the community, demonstrated through backing letters or partnerships.
• Financial capacity of the organization to complete the project, including secured financing.
• Complementarity with local, regional, or provincial offerings and alignment with regional or sectoral communication strategies.
• Project's market demand and supply potential, supported by market studies or potential commercial agreements.
• Uniqueness or innovation of the offered product or service.
• Adherence to principles of sustainable development, covering economic, social, or environmental aspects.

• Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
• class="ql-indent-1">Ensure your organization is located in Quebec and falls under the categories of businesses or organizations offering tourism activities, attractions, festivals, or events.
• Step 2: Attend Virtual Information Session
• class="ql-indent-1">Register for one of the available sessions to gain a better understanding of the application process.
• Step 3: Gather Required Documents
• class="ql-indent-1">Complete the project application form.
• class="ql-indent-1">Prepare a board resolution or letter from the owner.
• class="ql-indent-1">Collect the most recent annual financial statements.
• class="ql-indent-1">Create a project financing package as per the provided template.
• Step 4: Prepare Project Proposal
• class="ql-indent-1">Detail the objectives aligning with enhancing tourism offers to attract visitors from outside Quebec.
• Step 5: Submit Application
• class="ql-indent-1">Submit your application along with all required documents within the application period from March 25 to May 10, 2024.
• class="ql-indent-1">Ensure that all documents are complete and accurately filled.
• Step 6: Confirmation of Submission
• class="ql-indent-1">Await confirmation of receipt from the fund provider.
• class="ql-indent-1">Keep a record of your application submission for future reference.

• Applications are reviewed first for compliance with eligibility criteria and required supporting documents.
• An advisory committee then assesses the projects and completes a weighted evaluation grid.
• The most promising projects are submitted to the management committee for final approval.
• Applicants are notified of acceptance or rejection by email.
• Selected applicants receive a financial assistance agreement before payments are made.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Virtual information sessions are provided to assist applicants, and registrations are required due to limited slots.
• The funding aims to increase the competitiveness of Quebec's regional tourism offers.