Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia
BC, Canada
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides funding to support the growth and development of tourism projects in British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Pacific Economic Development Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in British Columbia aims to assist small and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and communities in developing tourism products and experiences that enhance Canada's attractiveness as a destination. Eligible activities include improving and creating innovative tourism offerings, supporting marketing and promotion, and developing sustainable tourism plans. Preference is given to projects with high impact, lasting benefits, and strong community alignment.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects for the Tourism Growth Program must be incremental to the applicant’s existing activities and align with at least one of the six program priorities.
- Helping operators to improve and/or create innovative tourism offerings attractive to domestic and international visitors
- Supporting digitization, automation, or technology integration investments that enhance SME productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness
- Supporting businesses with promoting tourism products, including digital and virtual reality experiences
- Extending the tourism season by assisting tourism SMEs in the development and delivery of shoulder season products
- Developing capacity for more inclusive tourism experiences, such as enhancing accessibility of tourism assets and staff training for welcoming diverse clientele
- Developing and/or implementing sustainable tourism plans in communities based on research and market analysis
- Supporting destinations to implement tourism plans that create or improve local assets, facilities, and planning for key infrastructure, including trails
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$150,000
Victoria
Promoting eco-tourism in Victoria with a sustainable whale watching tour.
$125,000
Vancouver
Developing an immersive digital tour of Stanley Park in Vancouver.
$125,000
Whistler
Creating an accessible hiking trail in Whistler to enhance inclusive tourism.
$200,000
Kelowna
Implementing a shoulder season wine tour program in Kelowna.
$200,000
Ottawa
Designing a new cultural heritage museum in Ottawa to attract diverse visitors.
$105,000
Quebec City
Enhancing digital marketing for a new virtual reality tour in Quebec City.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is open to businesses and not-for-profit organizations with a set of specific criteria that they must meet. Below are the detailed eligibility criteria for applicants.
- All eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- For Businesses:
- Must be financially viable businesses, operating for a minimum of two years in British Columbia.
- Restaurants, accommodation, and retail are not normally eligible (exceptions can be made for restaurants or accommodations that are an anchor for a tourism community).
- Indigenous applicants:
- Indigenous-owned businesses (including sole proprietors) or Indigenous organizations.
- Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and organizations).
- Post-secondary institutions.
- Governments (municipal/provincial and related entities).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in British Columbia is open to certain types of businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Eligible entities must be capable of entering into legally binding agreements and meet specific criteria.
- Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and organizations)
- Post-secondary institutions
- Indigenous-owned businesses (including sole proprietors) or Indigenous organizations
- Governments (municipal/provincial and related entities)
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The Tourism Growth Program specifies that certain types of companies are generally not eligible for this grant, with some exceptions noted for specific circumstances.
- Restaurants
- Accommodation businesses
- Retail businesses
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
- Infrastructure upgrades, such as trail development and leasehold improvements
- Costs incurred in designing new or improved tourism products and services
- Purchase and/or rental of machinery and equipment directly related to the authorized project
- Professional services (project implementation, design and engineering services)
- Costs related to community engagement and planning such as facilitation and rental of meeting space
- Marketing costs associated with a larger project (e.g., design, promotional materials, advertising, digital media content, products demonstrations, participation at trade shows, website development, design, and improvement)
- Acquisition of new technology that will improve performance and productivity
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are in British Columbia, Canada.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Post-secondary institutions
- Indigenous-owned businesses or Indigenous organizations
- Municipal/provincial governments and related entities
grant_single_labels|criteria
Applications for the Tourism Growth Program will be evaluated on their ability to achieve its objectives and demonstrate specific criteria, primarily focusing on their high impact, lasting impact, community alignment, and strong leverage.
- High impact
- Lasting impact
- Community alignment
- Strong leverage
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your business or organization meets the eligibility criteria.
- Confirm that you are a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- Ensure your business has been operating for at least two years in British Columbia.
- Determine if your project activities align with the program priorities.
- Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
- Prepare financial statements for the past two years, including the most current.
- Compile interim financial statements for the past six months.
- Create a detailed budget for your project.
- Obtain evidence of other funding sources, such as letters of confirmation, signed agreements, and financial/bank statements.
- Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the TGP Application Form carefully with all necessary details about your project.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Ensure the application is fully completed and that all required documents are attached.
- Submit the application through the designated portal before the deadline.
- Step 5: Await Assessment
- Your application will be assessed based on its ability to achieve the TGP objectives.
- PacifiCan may contact you for additional documentation or information.
- Step 6: Reporting and Project Funding
- If approved, sign a standard Contribution Agreement with PacifiCan.
- Submit periodic progress reports and claims for reimbursement as outlined in the agreement.
- Step 7: Project Completion
- Ensure all project activities and costs are completed by March 31, 2026.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
604-666-6256
Apply to this program
Summary of the Tourism Growth Program
PacifiCan's Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides up to $250,000 in interest-free repayable contributions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-repayable contributions to not-for-profit organizations to support the growth and development of tourism products and experiences in British Columbia. The program is aligned with the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy and focuses on high-impact, lasting impact, community alignment, and strong leverage.
Detailed Explanation of the Tourism Growth Program
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is an initiative launched by PacifiCan, the federal economic development agency dedicated to supporting the economic growth and diversification of British Columbia. This program is specifically designed to bolster B.C.'s tourism industry by providing financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and not-for-profit organizations. With a funding pool of $108 million spread over three years, the TGP aims to make strategic investments in the development and scaling of tourism projects and events that position Canada as a prime destination for both domestic and international visitors.
Eligible Applicants
The TGP is open to various types of entities, including incorporated SMEs, not-for-profit organizations (such as tourism associations), Indigenous-owned businesses or organizations, post-secondary institutions, and municipal/provincial governments or related entities. Commercial entities can apply for interest-free, repayable contributions, while not-for-profit organizations may apply for non-repayable contributions.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Financial Viability: SMEs must have been operating financially viable businesses for at least two years in British Columbia.
- Legal Standing: All applicants must be legal entities capable of entering legally binding agreements.
- Specific Industries: Restaurants, accommodations, and retail are generally ineligible unless they serve as an anchor for a tourism community.
Approximately 15 percent of the funding is specifically allocated to support Indigenous tourism initiatives, with Indigenous applicants being strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Priorities
The TGP focuses on several key priorities aimed at driving substantial and meaningful growth in B.C.'s tourism sector:
- Support Active Tourism: Projects that attract visitors to engage in outdoor recreational experiences, including efforts to improve inclusivity and accessibility.
- Increase Tourism Benefits for Communities: Initiatives aimed at boosting visitor numbers in smaller communities and rural areas, spreading the economic benefits of tourism more widely.
- Support Indigenous Tourism Industry: Projects led by or benefitting Indigenous communities, contributing to one of B.C.'s fastest-growing tourism segments.
- Support Sustainability: Projects that foster economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability.
- Extend the Tourism Season: Development and promotion of products that encourage tourism during the shoulder seasons.
- Complement Provincial Efforts: Projects that align with broader federal, provincial, and local tourism strategies and initiatives.
Preference is given to projects that demonstrate high impact, lasting benefits, alignment with community or regional tourism strategies, and strong financial leverage.
Eligible Project Activities
Projects must be incremental to the applicant’s current activities and align with at least one of the program's six priorities. Examples of eligible activities include:
- Creating or improving innovative tourism offerings.
- Investing in digitization, automation, or technology to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
- Promoting tourism products, including digital and virtual reality experiences.
- Developing shoulder season tourism products, such as winter tourism initiatives.
- Enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in tourism experiences.
- Developing and implementing sustainable tourism plans based on thorough research and market analysis.
- Improving local assets and infrastructure, such as trails and facilities, based on tourism plans.
Funding Details
The TGP offers interest-free repayable funding of up to $250,000 for SMEs, with a preference for projects seeking 50% or less funding from PacifiCan. Not-for-profit organizations proposing commercial projects can also apply for up to $250,000, with a preference for 65% or less funding from PacifiCan. The stacking limit from other government sources is 50% for capital costs and 75% for other eligible costs.
All non-PacifiCan sources of funding must be confirmed at the time of application, and potential beneficiaries should secure these funds before applying. Eligible costs are those that are incremental and essential to the project, such as infrastructure upgrades, professional services, and marketing efforts related to larger projects. Ineligible costs include refinancing debt, asset depreciation, lobbying activities, and ongoing operational costs.
Expected Results
PacifiCan expects projects funded under the TGP to produce significant economic outcomes in the tourism sector. Applicants must quantify and substantiate expected results, which include:
- Number of communities supported.
- Number of project partners.
- Number of jobs created or maintained.
- Revenue growth in dollar terms.
- Number of entities supported.
- Increase in the number of visitors.
Application Requirements
Applicants need to submit a completed application form accompanied by:
- Financial statements for the past two years.
- Interim financial statements for the past six months.
- A detailed budget.
- Evidence of confirmed funding from other sources.
Additional documentation may be required during the assessment process. It's essential to note that the mere submission of an application does not guarantee funding, and only applications demonstrating the highest merit and alignment with the TGP objectives will be considered.
After Submitting an Application
Applications will be assessed based on their potential to achieve high impact, lasting impact, community alignment, and strong leverage. PacifiCan may engage applicants for any outstanding questions or additional information required.
If an application is successful, PacifiCan will disburse funds in periodic reimbursements based on the submission of claims for eligible project costs. Recipients are expected to sign a standard Contribution Agreement outlining reporting obligations, including periodic progress reports. All project activities and costs must be completed by March 31, 2026.
Contacts
For additional information about the Tourism Growth Program, potential applicants can contact PacifiCan directly:
Phone: 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
