
Tourism Digital Assistance Program
- Open continuously
Overview
Get up to $5,000 in consultant services from a qualified digital expert to help eligible tourism businesses increase their visibility online and apply effective digital marketing or e-commerce tools.
At a glance
Funding available
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop an online presence
- Launch or market a product/service
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
- Accommodation and food services
- Nova Scotia
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
- All structures
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next steps
Activities funded
This program aims to enhance the digital capabilities of tourism businesses to improve their online presence. Eligible activities focus on developing and implementing various digital tools and tactics to increase visibility and customer engagement.
- Website design and development.
- Search engine optimization.
- Digital marketing strategies.
- Social media management.
- Setup and management of online booking systems.
- Audio and podcast service development.
- Photography and videography for digital content.
- E-commerce tool development.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The Tourism Digital Assistance Program is open to tourism businesses and organizations operating in Nova Scotia who wish to enhance their digital presence. Eligibility encompasses the following:1. NovaScotia.com Listing: Applicants must be listed on NovaScotia.com or must apply for the listing within seven days of submitting their TDAP application.2. Operational Status: Businesses should currently be open or have plans to operate during the program year.3. Digital Needs: Applicants must demonstrate a need to update or enhance their online presence with clearly defined goals that they intend to implement before March 31, 2025.4. Good Standing: The business or organization must be in good standing with the Nova Scotia Provincial Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Any roofed accommodation entities must also be registered with the province's Tourist Accommodations Registry.Priority is given to:- Businesses primarily focused on attracting and servicing visitors.- Applicants who exhibit a clearly defined digital need and are committed to improving their online presence.- First-time applicants.Additionally, applications from businesses and organizations owned or operated by equity-seeking groups, such as Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian communities, are prioritized as part of the program's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). Applicants with overdue deliverables from previous programs with DNS or TNS are not eligible.Who is not eligible
There are certain restrictions on who can apply for this grant, prioritizing applicants aligned with the program's objectives and compliance requirements. Businesses that do not meet these criteria will not be eligible.
- Businesses not listed on NovaScotia.com or not applying for a listing within seven days of application submission.
- Businesses not currently open or with no plans to operate this year.
- Companies not in good standing with the provincial Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
- Roofed accommodations not registered with the province's Tourist Accommodations Registry.
- Applicants with overdue program reporting/deliverables with DNS or TNS.
- Businesses not focused on attracting and servicing visitors.
Eligible expenses
The Tourism Digital Assistance Program aims to pair tourism businesses in Nova Scotia with digital consultants to enhance various aspects of their digital presence. The eligible projects focus on increasing online visibility and effectiveness through various digital tools and services.
- Ecommerce system development to facilitate online sales.
- Online booking system integration to streamline reservations.
- Website design and development including AI-powered chatbot and automation systems.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase online search visibility.
- Data analytics services to better understand and leverage data-driven insights.
- Digital marketing strategies to broaden audience reach.
- Social media strategy enhancement to improve engagement and brand presence.
- Copywriting services for compelling digital content creation.
- Audio and podcast services to diversify marketing channels.
- Branding and design services for a consistent and professional look.
- Photography and/or videography to address content gaps and enhance visual media.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to tourism businesses located in Nova Scotia, as it is developed in partnership with Tourism Nova Scotia and Digital Nova Scotia. The program is focused on enhancing the online presence of businesses within the Nova Scotia region.
- Businesses located in Nova Scotia.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for the Tourism Digital Assistance Program:
- The final edited photos and/or videos created through this program will be owned by Tourism Nova Scotia (TNS) and shared with participants for marketing use.
- Participants are required to complete an end-of-project report within the required timelines.
- An orientation session is mandatory for approved participants at the start of the project.
- The program encourages advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), prioritizing applications from businesses owned or operated by equity-seeking groups.




