Tourism Business Grants in Ontario: 12 Funding Programs Currently Available
If you’re looking for tourism business grants, you’re in the right place!
Because we have the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide on grants and other types of funding for entrepreneurs running tourism businesses.
In this guide you’ll learn what’s available, eligibility requirements, how much you can get, and much more!
What Can Tourism Business Grants Be Used For?
Tourism business grants can be used to pay for many aspects of starting or running a business. Here are some of the uses that are covered by programs in our grants database:
See the section below with a complete list of tourism business grants available.
How Much Grant Money Can I Get for My Tourism Business?
In our database we currently have grants ranging from $2,400 to $25,000.
Am I Eligible for a Tourism Business Grant? Common Eligibility Criteria
Two of the most common questions we get asked at Ontario Business Grants are “Am I eligible?” and “How do I qualify?”.
We analyzed the tourism business grants in our grants database, and these are the most common qualifications we identified:
Note: these are just the most common eligibility criteria.
Tourism Business Grants for Ontario: Current Grants Available
In the table below we list the grants currently available to Ontario tourism businesses.
To learn more about each program, just click the program name and you’ll be taken to a web page that provides detailed information on the program, including eligibility, the dollar amount of the program, and how to apply for the grant:
$100,000
Grant
The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) was a Government of Canada investment delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario that provided one-time, non-repayable funding support of up to $100,000 to eligible tourism businesses and organizations in the Ottawa and Prescott-Russell region.
The program supported costs related to product development and enhancement of tourism experiences to help tourism businesses adapt to the ‘new normal’, modernize tourism offerings, and encourage the adoption of more environmentally sustainable practices. Funding also supported destination development initiatives that would position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities through strategic planning for medium to long-term investments.
no fixed amount
Grant
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides $108 million over 3 years to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences. The program also complements supports for the tourism industry provided through other federal, provincial and territorial programs.
$25,000
Grant
The TAF is a pilot funding program that aims to address specific gaps in our destination’s visitor experience and increase the destination’s accessibility by funding tourism businesses to improve the level of accessibility in their businesses. The intention of the TAF is to ensure that Ottawa can provide an amenity-rich experience for visitors with disabilities. The application-based grant program will allow businesses to upgrade their built environment and in-destination experiences.
$5,000,000.00
Grant
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in southwestern Ontario make investments to:
1. Grow their businesses
2. Improve productivity
3. Invest in innovation and skills development
4. Pursue new markets
5. Generate broad positive regional economic impact
6. Create new good, sustainable jobs
A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.
$20,000.00
Grant
The Skode Program will match 3 Finalists with a mentor and provide a $5,000 non-repayable financial contribution to advance their new Indigenous culinary tourism ideas to the next level.
no fixed amount
Grant
The Marquee Events Fund supports large-scale festivities with regional impacts and helps bolster Ontario’s overall destination attraction efforts.
The program provides financial support to help festival organizers, not-for-profit organizations and communities deliver major festivals and events in Ontario. These events:
– encourage travel
– showcase innovative programming
– create jobs in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sector
– boost our global profile
No fixed amount
Investment
Explore Ontario, a premier four-season travel destination fuelled by millions of tourists annually. With a thriving domestic scene and many attractions, Ontario offers endless investment opportunities in its booming tourism industry.
no fixed amount
Grant
Experience Ontario helps coordinate community festivities across the province.
The program provides financial support to festival organizers, not-for-profit organizations and communities to deliver impactful, multi-day experiences and Canada Day celebrations. These events:
– draw tourists
– encourage travel
– showcase innovative programming
– enhance visitor spending
– create job opportunities in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors
celebrate our regional and local diversities
raise our profile through media and social media exposure
No fixed amount
Grant
The Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program supports new construction or major renovation of buildings in targeted employment sectors. The program provides tax increment equivalent grants, whereby the City refunds a portion of the increase in property taxes that results from new development or redevelopments.
$5,000,000.00
Grant
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in eastern Ontario make investments to:
1. Grow their businesses
2. Improve productivity
3. Invest in innovation and skills development
4. Pursue new markets
5. Generate broad positive regional economic impact
6. Create new good, sustainable jobs
A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.
no fixed amount
Grant
Ottawa Tourism’s Destination Development Fund assists tourism businesses and organizations in developing quality tourism products and experiences that encourage the competitiveness of its tourism sector, stimulate increased destination visitation and visitor spend, and encourage private sector tourism investment in Ottawa.
$250,000.00
Grant
Destination Canada’s Tourism Corridor Strategy Program aims to accelerate the intentional development of tourism corridors or clusters of tourism assets across Canada.