Tourism Growth Program - DEC
Canada
Boost your company's growth and sustainability with targeted tourism investments
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
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grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Program for Tourism Growth in British Columbia aims to enhance regional tourism assets and boost the province's competitiveness as a top destination for both national and international visitors. Eligible activities include improving or creating innovative tourist offerings and supporting investments in technology and sustainability. The program offers non-repayable funding of up to $250,000 for nonprofit projects and repayable, interest-free funding of up to $250,000 for enterprise projects.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects for the Tourism Growth Program in Quebec should add value to current tourism activities, focusing on economic and business growth, and the attraction of visitors from outside Quebec. Priority is given to projects that contribute to community tourism spillovers, indigenous tourism, sustainable experiences, active tourism, or extend the tourism season.
- Projects that increase tourism spin-offs in communities, particularly rural areas.
- Support for Indigenous tourism that involves Indigenous communities and focuses on their culture, heritage, know-how, and traditions.
- Development of sustainable tourism experiences considering economic, social, and environmental impacts.
- Enhancement of active tourism experiences such as outdoor, nature, and adventure activities.
- Projects extending the tourism season by showcasing experiences that increase activity beyond the peak season.
- Projects ready for implementation with involvement from other financial stakeholders.
- Urban tourism projects that attract tourists to lesser-known regions and demonstrate direct impacts on neighboring regions.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligible clients for the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) grant in Quebec include:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the tourism industry.
- Not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) active in the tourism industry.
- Social economy businesses active in the tourism industry.
- Indigenous-owned businesses, including sole proprietors, band councils, and Nunavik municipalities.
- Indigenous tourism organizations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in Quebec include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), and Indigenous-owned businesses involved in the tourism industry. The program aims to support these entities in developing tourism products and experiences to attract visitors, particularly from outside Quebec.
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) active in the tourism industry
- Not-for-profit Organizations (NPOs) active in the tourism industry
- Indigenous-owned businesses including sole proprietors, band councils, and Nunavik municipalities
- Indigenous tourism organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Major festivals and events that already attract clients from outside Quebec, along with businesses and organizations not primarily focused on the tourism industry or public use, are typically ineligible. This excludes several sectors from consideration.
- Restaurants or food services
- Hotel chains
- Retail sector
- Travel agencies
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The proposed costs should be additional and essential to the project implementation.
- Infrastructure improvements, such as trail development and leasehold improvements
- Costs incurred for the design of new or improved tourism products and services
- Purchase or rental of machinery and equipment directly related to the approved project
- Professional services (project implementation, design, and engineering services)
- Costs related to community engagement and planning, such as meeting space availability and rental
- Marketing costs related to broader projects, excluding standalone marketing projects
- Acquisition of new technologies to improve performance and productivity
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), and Indigenous-owned businesses within Quebec. Specific geographic prioritization is given to economically vulnerable regions and communities, including rural areas and Montréal’s East End.
- Quebec, Canada
- Economically vulnerable RCMs (Regional County Municipalities)
- Montréal’s East End
- Rural and remote regions
- Indigenous communities
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Tourism Growth Program focus on the project's impact on tourism development, readiness for implementation, and involvement of other stakeholders. Additionally, projects must demonstrate added value to existing tourism activities and prioritize sustainability and regional enhancement.
- Projects that demonstrate the greatest impact on the development of tourism in the region.
- Projects that are ready to be implemented.
- Projects with promoters that demonstrate that other stakeholders are involved financially.
- Projects located in urban tourism centres aiming to attract tourists to regions with little to no tourist traffic or demonstrate direct impacts on neighbouring regions.
- Projects that enhance the capacity of regions or portions of territories to attract visitors from outside Quebec.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is an SME, NPO, or Indigenous-owned business active in the tourism industry in Quebec.
- Confirm that your project aligns with the program’s focus on enhancing local tourism attractions and products.
- Step 2: Project Planning
- Develop a project that increases tourism spin-offs, supports Indigenous tourism, fosters sustainable tourism, enhances active tourism experiences, or extends the tourism season.
- Make sure the project is ready to be implemented and demonstrates the greatest impact on the development of tourism in the region.
- Step 3: Financial Planning
- Prepare a budget and ensure the project requires financial support of more than $60,000 and up to $250,000.
- If seeking a smaller contribution of $60,000 or less, visit the delivery partner's website for smaller projects.
- Step 4: Stakeholder Involvement
- Demonstrate that other stakeholders are involved financially in the project.
- Step 5: Application Submission
- If the project is an Indigenous-led tourism initiative, visit the Tourisme Autochtone Québec website.
- For other projects requiring financial support larger than $60,000, contact CED directly to submit the application.
- Step 6: Project Completion
- Ensure the project is completed by March 31, 2026, if it receives support.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in Quebec is part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, providing financial support to enhance local tourist attractions and increase their potential to draw visitors from outside Quebec. The program prioritizes Indigenous tourism initiatives and projects that have a significant impact on regional tourism development.
- Indigenous tourism is a priority, with 15% of funding dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives.
- Major festivals and events that already attract clients from outside Quebec are not eligible for funding.
- Projects must focus on increasing tourism spin-offs in communities, supporting the Indigenous tourism industry, fostering sustainable tourism experiences, or developing active tourism experiences.
- Financial contributions for SMEs are generally repayable while those for NPOs are generally non-repayable.
- The program will end on March 31, 2026, and supported projects must be completed by this date.
Apply to this program
Tourism Growth Program - Quebec
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) in Quebec provides $21.1 million in funding over three years to support small and medium-sized enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous-owned businesses in enhancing tourism products and experiences to attract visitors from outside Quebec. This initiative focuses on fostering regional economic development, sustainability, and cultural enrichment through evaluating diverse projects.
Detailed Overview of the Tourism Growth Program - Quebec
The growth and diversification of Quebec's tourism industry is an essential component of the province's economic development strategy, especially in its more rural and remote regions. The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) represents a crucial effort in channeling investments toward enhancing tourism's impact in these areas. With a budget of $21.1 million over three years, this program aims to bolster the tourism sector by providing financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), and Indigenous businesses involved in creating and promoting tourism experiences that align with long-term growth and sustainability goals. The TGP is an integral part of the broader Canadian Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which strives for national consistency in supporting tourism-related ventures. This initiative addresses not just the economic potential of tourism in Quebec but is also committed to preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage often encapsulated within the Quebec tourism experience. **Eligible Beneficiaries and Activities** The TGP targets a variety of organizations and enterprises, each contributing uniquely to enriching the tourism landscape. Eligible clients include SMEs, NPOs, social economy businesses, and Indigenous-owned businesses. These groups are pivotal in developing the kind of vibrant, appealing environments necessary for boosting Quebec's allure as an international destination. Projects that receive TGP support share a common goal: to provide added value to Quebec’s existing tourism offerings. This encompasses a wide array of ventures, from improving the capacity of local tourist attractions to developing entire new sectors within Quebec's tourism economy. The overarching aim is to increase regional economic capacity, drawing in tourists from outside Quebec, thus aiding in the creation and maintenance of local employment. **Criteria for Prioritization** Several prioritization criteria guide the allocation of funds under the TGP to ensure maximal impact. Projects that propose: 1. **Increased Tourism Impact:** Initiatives are required to generate significant tourism spin-offs, particularly in rural or less-frequented areas. This criterion is key to ensuring that economic benefits reach as wide and diverse an area as possible. 2. **Indigenous Tourism Support:** Projects that involve Indigenous communities in meaningful ways are a priority. Such endeavors emphasize cultural heritage tourism, showcasing Indigenous culture, traditions, and experiences for tourists. This supports Indigenous economic growth while enriching the broader tourism landscape with culturally unique offerings. 3. **Sustainable Development:** Applications must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism practices. Sustainability here concerns not just the economic implications but also the social and environmental impacts of tourism activities. 4. **Active Tourism Initiatives:** Proposals that encourage active, outdoor, and adventure tourism will receive particular attention. Whether through hiking, cycling, rock climbing, or any such activities, these initiatives promote physical engagement and appreciation of Quebec’s natural beauty in diverse ways. 5. **Season Extension:** Projects that effectively extend Quebec’s tourism season beyond the traditional peaks are highly sought after. This encourages year-round tourism, helping to stabilize business operations and regional economies throughout the calendar year. **Key Guidelines for Funding and Implementation** The TGP’s financial contributions range typically between $60,000 and $250,000, defined by the minimum amount necessary for a project's successful implementation. The funds are structured differently for SMEs and NPOs: - **For SMEs:** Contributions are generally repayable, typically structured in a way to emphasize collaborative enhancement of tourism offerings. - **For NPOs:** Contributions are non-repayable, aligning with their public service mission and enabling free developmental pursuits without a financial burden. Establishments, particularly in economically vulnerable regions or within specific sections of Montreal, may benefit from more flexible program conditions. This approach ensures the tourism development strategy maintains inclusivity and relevance across the broader Quebec landscape. The application deadline is firm, with the program concluding on March 31, 2026. All supported projects must be completed by this date, thus ensuring timeliness and accountability in delivering economic impacts. **Excluded Projects** Projects not aligning with the TGP’s focus or operational scope are deemed ineligible. These include major festivals/events already popular with out-of-province visitors, primarily food or retail-oriented businesses, hotel chains, and travel agencies. The aim is to concentrate resources on ventures that offer distinct, impactful contributions to Quebec’s tourism industry. **Broader Implications and Benefits** Through the TGP, Quebec stands to solidify its position as a multifaceted tourism destination, offering varied cultural, environmental, and experiential attractions. The program’s emphasis on leveraging indigenous tourism opportunities, expanding active tourism offers, and ensuring sustainability aligns closely with contemporary trends in global tourism. As these projects mature, they not only enhance Quebec’s competitiveness on the international stage but also cultivate economic resilience and community empowerment across its regions. In conclusion, by focusing on innovative, sustainable, and culturally resonant tourism initiatives, the TGP intends to reinforce Quebec as a hub for outstanding, year-round tourism experiences. The program’s comprehensive strategy ensures that tourism not only today but for future generations remains a cornerstone of regional prosperity and cultural richness.
