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Source verified July 31, 2026
Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund
Visitor-focused funding for Ottawa tourism projects
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
October 2, 2026
Location
Ottawa, Canada
Who can apply
Ottawa Tourism members, Indigenous businesses, municipalities, national and/or provincial industry sector associations, registered for-profit businesses, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, and BIA’s and District Authorities
See full eligibility
Overview
Ottawa Tourism’s Destination Development Fund supports Ottawa-based tourism businesses and organizations in the City of Ottawa to develop visitor-focused projects, with support of up to 50% of eligible project expenses. Eligible work includes new experiences, tourism infrastructure or feasibility studies, plus festivals and events, with marketing, accessibility, and project delivery costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ottawa
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Sports
- Other Recreation and Social Clubs
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- Fee-for-service model
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Product and experience development projects, including the development, expansion or upgrading of a tourist attraction, activity, facility or service, and tourism infrastructure projects
- Innovation projects that use innovation and surprise to elicit an emotional visitor experience in Ottawa
- Tourism project feasibility studies
- Expansion of the regional and/or niche tourism offer, including tourism routes, circuits, and themed tourism experiences or products
- Creation or expansion of festivals and events, including marquee or major festivals and events, and arts and culture festivals and events
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed electronic application form, including the budget template and any pertinent visual elements
- Organization’s articles of incorporation; proof of insurance; and the resolution authorizing the signatory to act as the organization’s designated representative
- For existing organizations, financial statements for the previous two years and the most recent interim financial statements; financial partnership agreements, as available
- Detailed business plan; critical path or high-level timeline; detailed budget; and, for studies or consulting services, the request for proposals with the required issue, objectives, methodology, timeline, deliverables, and competitive process details
- Support material; applicant’s resume/CV; and any shareholder or partner agreement(s) or MOU(s), if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ottawa Tourism members, Indigenous businesses, municipalities, national and/or provincial industry sector associations, registered for-profit businesses, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, and BIA’s and District Authorities
- Ad hoc groups and non-incorporated for-profit or not-for-profit organizations must find a qualified applicant to act as the project proponent
Who is not eligible
- Project applicants with an accumulated deficit greater than 25% of total revenue or an accumulated surplus (not including capital assets) greater than 100% of total revenue
- Political parties
- Organizations whose activities are deemed to come under the jurisdiction of other levels, divisions, departments or agencies of government, such as school boards, social services, and hospitals
- Applicants outside of the municipality of Ottawa
Eligible expenses
- Out-of-destination marketing costs, including publicity, advertising, promotion, and branding
- Costs related to increasing accessibility and inclusivity, and costs associated with enhancing environmental sustainability
- Consulting services, professional fees, project management, and software licenses required to undertake the project
- Construction work and the purchase or installation of visitor-facing equipment and specialized furniture integral to the proposed tourism or visitor experience, including new construction, additions, restoration, repurposing, or accessibility upgrades
- Project-related permits, fees and other similar charges; research costs; travel expenses; general expenses; wages and benefits of applicant’s employees working exclusively on the project; artist, performer, and production fees directly related to the tourism or visitor experience; and other costs deemed reasonable by Ottawa Tourism
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects in progress or already completed at the time of application
- Projects solely focused on standard restaurant or retail operations, including opening or expanding patios for existing restaurants, opening new restaurants or retail stores, or renovating existing restaurants or retail spaces, unless the project is primarily designed to deliver a distinct tourism or culinary experience aligned with one or more Priority Areas; visitor centres and signage; stand-alone mobile applications; and training materials development
- Capital purchases and investments, including land, routine site maintenance, buildings, operating equipment, fixtures, etc.; competitions and contests; conferences, workshops and other forms of training; fundraising projects and initiatives; parades; and production and distribution of films, recordings, books, magazines or other products in multiple copies
- Small-scale neighborhood-oriented festivals and events; sports and recreation tournaments; and trade shows and trade fairs
- Operating costs of organizations, business plans and similar studies for other programs or requirements, legal/audit/interest fees, insurance, buyouts, restructuring costs, refundable taxes, working capital, debt service, operating losses, capital losses or redemption of capital, donations and in-kind services, transfers of assets, automobile or rolling stock purchases, routine facility upgrades, asset maintenance or regulatory compliance, rights of way, easements and related costs, and local marketing and local promotion-based activities, booking and packaging, and online reservation systems unless vital to a bigger project for a new tourism offering
Eligible geographic areas
- One or more wards within the City of Ottawa
Selection criteria
- Project Description in alignment with Destination Development Fund priorities — 20%
- Rationale and Project Beneficiaries — 20%
- Organizational Capacity — 10% and Current Financial Position and Budget — 20%
- Project Impact and Performance Measures — 20%
- Risk Management and Evaluation Plan — 10%; applications must achieve a minimum overall score of 70% to be eligible for funding consideration
How to apply
- Complete the Project Readiness Checklist.
- Reach out to Cedric Belisle, Experience Development Specialist, at cbelisle@ottawatourism.ca for guidance and eligibility assessment.
- Wait for written confirmation from Ottawa Tourism before proceeding to Phase 1.
- Complete and submit the Phase 1 Statement of Intent.
- Wait for written confirmation from Ottawa Tourism before proceeding to Phase 2.
- Complete and email the full Phase 2 application package to cbelisle@ottawatourism.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted for review.
- Complete Phase 2 applications are reviewed by an Internal Evaluation Committee and an internal assessment panel.
- Phase 1 submissions may result in a confirmation that the project is not eligible, a request for additional information, or confirmation to proceed to Phase 2; Phase 1 outcomes are typically communicated within 2–3 weeks and Phase 2 evaluation may take approximately 4–6 weeks from submission of a complete application.
- Applications that meet all eligibility requirements and are complete are scored against the evaluation criteria, and all results are final with no appeal of the Evaluating Committee’s recommendations regarding funding allocations.
- Successful applicants must enter into a formal Funding Agreement with Ottawa Tourism, and successful funding recipients must submit a Final Activity Report and an evaluation metrics grid; failure to provide the report can result in non-payment of the final installment and automatic ineligibility for subsequent Ottawa Tourism funding.
Additional information
- To date, 85% of tourism products funded are still active in the destination.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund Program
What is the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund?
Ottawa Tourism’s Destination Development Fund supports Ottawa-based tourism businesses and organizations in the City of Ottawa to develop visitor-focused projects, with support of up to 50% of eligible project expenses. Eligible work includes new experiences, tourism infrastructure or feasibility studies, plus festivals and events, with marketing, accessibility, and project delivery costs.
How much funding can be received?
Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund program?
To be eligible for the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund program, you must:
The applicant must belong to one of the eligible applicant groups.
Non-incorporated applicants must find a qualified project proponent.
The applicant must demonstrate financial and administrative stability and be in good standing with Ottawa Tourism stakeholders.
What expenses are eligible under Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund?
Product and experience development projects, including the development, expansion or upgrading of a tourist attraction, activity, facility or service, and tourism infrastructure projects
Innovation projects that use innovation and surprise to elicit an emotional visitor experience in Ottawa
Tourism project feasibility studies
Expansion of the regional and/or niche tourism offer, including tourism routes, circuits, and themed tourism experiences or products
Creation or expansion of festivals and events, including marquee or major festivals and events, and arts and culture festivals and events
Who can I contact for more information about the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund?
You can contact Ottawa Tourism (OT) by email at cbelisle@ottawatourism.ca or by phone at 1-833-864-7839.
Where is the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund available?
The Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Ottawa Tourism — Destination Development Fund is a Grant and Funding