Tourism Growth Program in Atlantic Canada

• Applicant Guide for ACOA Programs and Initiatives.
• Application for financial assistance form.
• Supporting documents requested in the form.

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

• Step 1: Contact ACOA Business Information Services
  • Call 1-888-576-4444 to discuss your project and confirm program fit.
  • Use the appropriate regional email address if needed.
• Step 2: Review the application materials
  • Read the applicant guide.
  • Download the application form.
• Step 3: Complete the application
  • Fill out the form and prepare the required supporting documents.
  • Use the application form instructions to organize your submission.
• Step 4: Submit the application
  • Submit online through ACOA’s online application process.
  • For paper submission, mail the signed form and supporting documents to the ACOA regional office in your province.

• ACOA acknowledges receipt of the application and assigns a project number and program officer.
• The application is assessed based on the information and documents provided.
• ACOA may request additional information or clarification.
• A funding decision is made once the assessment is complete.
• Decisions are made in accordance with ACOA service standards.

• 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.