Tourism Growth Program in Atlantic Canada

• The applicant must be an incorporated small or medium-sized enterprise operating in the tourism industry, an Indigenous-owned tourism business or organization, a non-profit tourism organization (including tourism associations and post-secondary institutions), or a municipal, provincial or territorial government or related entity.
• The project must develop or enhance local tourism products, services or experiences that contribute to business and economic growth.
• The project should add value to existing tourism activities rather than simply maintaining current operations.
• Priority is given to projects that increase visitation to or within Canada, particularly by driving visitors from urban centres to rural areas, supporting Indigenous tourism, sustainability, active outdoor experiences or extending the tourism season.
• The applicant must be located in, or delivering tourism benefits to, communities in Atlantic Canada.

Who is eligible?

• Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the tourism industry
• Indigenous-owned tourism businesses, including Indigenous sole proprietorships
• Indigenous tourism organizations
• Non-profit tourism organizations and associations
• Post-secondary institutions involved in tourism-related initiatives

Eligible expenses

• Costs to improve or create innovative tourism offerings, products, services or experiences.
• Investments in digitization or technology integration to enhance productivity, sustainability, efficiency or competitiveness of tourism operations.
• Expenses to develop and deliver new tourism products, services or experiences aimed at increasing activity outside the traditional high season or extending operations year-round.
• Costs to enhance accessibility and create a more welcoming environment for diverse clientele.
• Expenditures to improve local tourism assets and facilities, including those linked to key active outdoor tourism experiences.
• Costs related to developing and implementing sustainable tourism plans based on research and market analysis.
• Marketing and promotional expenses to support the growth of off-season tourism, including promotion of tourism products, services and experiences outside the traditional high season.
• Eligible costs to support the delivery of festivals and events that attract tourists to a destination.
• Expenses to develop or increase the capacity of tourism businesses to provide inclusive tourism experiences.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses and organizations located in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador), served by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the Tourism Growth Program grant.

• Increase tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban centers to rural areas
• Support the Indigenous tourism industry
• Support economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability
• Support active outdoor experiences
• Extend the tourism season by promoting and/or developing products, services or experiences aimed at increasing tourism activity outside the traditional high season or extending services year-round
• Complement supports provided through provincial/territorial programs

• The Tourism Growth Program has a total national envelope of $108 million distributed over three years.
• Approximately 15% of the total Tourism Growth Program budget is reserved for Indigenous-led tourism initiatives across Canada.
• Atlantic Canada’s tourism sector will receive $10.6 million through this program, administered by ACOA.
• ACOA collaborates with provincial governments and tourism partners to ensure this program complements other tourism support measures in Atlantic Canada.