Travel Alberta — Product Development Fund

• Funding ranges from $75,000 to $500,000 per project.
• Applicants must contribute a minimum of 25% of the total project cost.
• Travel Alberta may require applicants to contribute up to 50% of total project costs, depending on the project and available funding.

• The applicant must be an Alberta-based tourism business, an Indigenous tourism business, a not-for-profit organization, or a municipality with a focus on tourism.
• The business must have been in operation for at least six months.
• The tourism offering must be available for more than 120 days per year.
• The applicant must have a business plan and capital or financing in place for the project at the time of application.
• The project must be shovel-ready, with all land acquisition, environmental reviews, regulatory requirements, planning, designing, permits, approvals, and legal considerations finalized before applying.

Who is eligible?

• Alberta-based tourism businesses
• Indigenous tourism businesses
• Not-for-profit organizations focused on tourism
• Municipalities with a focus on tourism

Who is not eligible

• Organizations under the jurisdiction of the provincial or federal government.
• Non-Alberta-based businesses.
• Retail businesses.
• Restaurants.
• Airports, casinos, travel agencies, and transportation services (including taxi, limo, and private vehicle rental, leasing or purchase).
• Businesses offering virtual tourism services.
• Hotels/motels with 100 rooms or greater (franchise properties).
• Vacation property rentals.
• Third-party consultants applying on behalf of an organization.

Eligible expenses

• Construction of tourism infrastructure or purchase of assets supporting new visitor products or experiences.
• Enhancements to existing tourism products and experiences to increase visitor appeal and spend.
• Costs related to eco-friendly initiatives as part of a new product or experience.
• Lease or purchase of equipment offering new or enhanced visitor activities and experiences.
• Purchase of specialized equipment to provide accessible tourism experiences for diverse markets.
• Costs for seasonal, temporary, or movable structures that improve visitor comfort or experience.
• Development of interpretive programs to create or enhance tourism experiences.
• Content development, including photography, videos, and written materials (with an approved shot list).
• Website development and creation of online sales platforms for promotional support.

Eligible geographic areas

• Alberta

• Completeness and quality of the business plan, including demonstrated management experience and clear short- and long-term growth strategies.
• Financial viability and sustainability of the project.
• Alignment with Travel Alberta’s investment priorities (such as job creation, revenue generation, improved visitation, and addressing tourism product gaps).
• Potential to generate measurable economic impacts (e.g., revenue, job creation, visits, and private sector investment).
• Track record of the applicant, including previous funding received, reporting performance, and results achieved.

• Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
  • Review all eligibility requirements and ensure that your project is shovel-ready with all permits, approvals, and financing in place.
  • Prepare necessary supporting documentation, including a business plan and financial statements.
  • When the intake period opens (October 1–20), access the Product Development Fund application link on the Travel Alberta website.
  • Log into the Grant Management Tool (GMT) to complete and submit your EOI online.
  • Submit the EOI before the deadline; late submissions will not be considered.
• Step 2: EOI Review and Invitation to Apply
  • Travel Alberta reviews your EOI against eligibility criteria and strategic priorities.
  • If your EOI is successful, you will receive a link via the Grants Management Tool inviting you to submit a full application.
• Step 3: Full Application Submission
  • Complete the full application, including all required documents (business plan, financial statements, endorsements, permits, property documentation, etc.).
  • Submit the full application through the link provided by Travel Alberta.
• Step 4: Evaluation and Funding Decision
  • Travel Alberta evaluates the full application, considering alignment with funding priorities, project viability, and required documentation.
  • Funding decisions for the intake period are made in early 2026.
• Step 5: Funding Agreement and Disbursement
  • If approved, receive and review the official funding agreement from Travel Alberta in Spring 2026.
  • Finalize and execute the agreement with Travel Alberta.
  • After signing, funds are deposited directly to your bank account via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

• Expression of Interest (EOI) submission period for the 2026-2027 intake is from October 1-20.
• EOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis and late submissions will not be considered.
• Travel Alberta reserves the right to determine the eligibility of expenses, even if not explicitly listed.
• Performance measures include revenue generated, jobs created, visits, and private sector investment leveraged.