Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Overview
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) by PacifiCan provides up to $250,000 in interest-free repayable funding to support small and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and communities in British Columbia to develop local tourism projects and events. Eligible activities include enhancing tourism offerings, supporting digital integration, extending the tourism season, and developing sustainable tourism practices.
At a glance
Funding available
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
- British Columbia
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- All groups
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- All structures
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
Activities funded
This program supports projects that enhance tourism offerings and experiences in British Columbia. Eligible activities aim to improve visitor engagement, extend tourism seasons, and bolster digitization and sustainability efforts in the tourism sector.
- Helping operators improve or create innovative tourism offerings attractive to domestic and international visitors.
- Supporting digitization, automation, or technology integration investments to enhance SME productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.
- Assisting businesses with promoting tourism products, including digital and virtual reality experiences.
- Extending the tourism season by assisting SMEs in developing shoulder season products, such as winter tourism offerings.
- Developing capacity for more inclusive tourism experiences, such as enhancing accessibility of tourism assets and staff training for inclusive environments.
- Developing and implementing sustainable tourism plans based on research and market analysis.
- Supporting destinations in implementing tourism plans that enhance local assets and infrastructure, such as trails and key facilities.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations, including tourism associations and organizations, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous-owned businesses, Indigenous organizations, and government entities at municipal, provincial, and related levels. Businesses must be financially viable and have operated for at least two years in British Columbia, with specific considerations for Indigenous applicants, who have 15% of the program's funding earmarked for Indigenous tourism initiatives.
Who is not eligible
The Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia excludes certain companies and industries from eligibility based on their primary business activities and other restrictions. These exclusions ensure that funds are allocated to entities that align with the program's objectives to enhance tourism growth.
- Restaurants that do not serve as an anchor for a tourism community.
- Accommodation providers not serving as a key component of tourism in their area.
- Retail businesses not significant to the tourism market.
Eligible expenses
The Tourism Growth Program promotes the enhancement and expansion of tourism projects in British Columbia. Eligible activities focus on innovation, sustainability, and community engagement to boost tourism attractions and experiences across various sectors.
- Improving and/or creating innovative tourism offerings for domestic and international visitors.
- Supporting digitization, automation, or technology integration for enhancing SME productivity and efficiency.
- Promoting tourism products, including digital and virtual reality experiences.
- Extending the tourism season by developing and delivering shoulder season products.
- Enhancing tourism inclusivity by improving accessibility of tourism assets and conducting staff training for diverse clientele.
- Developing and/or implementing sustainable tourism plans based on market research.
- Implementing local tourism plans aimed at improving local assets and facilities, including key infrastructure like trails.
Eligible geographic areas
The Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia is specifically tailored for entities located within British Columbia, as denoted by the funding body, PacifiCan, that is focused exclusively on this region.
- Businesses and organizations situated in British Columbia.
Additional information
The Government of Canada’s Tourism Growth Program (TGP) aims to foster the development of tourism products and experiences by providing targeted funding over three years through regional development agencies, including PacifiCan.
- The TGP program is now closed for new applications, and the assessment of submitted applications is in progress.
- The program includes both repayable contributions for businesses and non-repayable contributions for not-for-profit organizations.
- Preference is given to high-impact projects with lasting benefits, strong community alignment, and significant leverage.
- Eligible projects must be completed by March 31, 2026.
- Recipients must sign a Contribution Agreement with PacifiCan and provide periodic progress reports.
- Eligible costs can be retroactive up to 12 months prior to the application date, but not earlier than March 29, 2023.
- All non-PacifiCan sources of project funding must be confirmed at the time of application.
- Contact information: 604-666-6256 or 1-888-338-9378 (toll-free), email: info@pacifican.gc.ca, mailing address: 1300-300 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B4.