Government of Canada supports Ottawa’s tourism industry with Tourism Relief Fund

Ottawa Tourism to administer $5.5 million in federal funding to support tourism businesses in Ottawa and Prescott-Russell

As a result of $5.5 million received through the Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by FedDev Ontario, Ottawa Tourism is providing eligible tourism businesses in Ottawa and Prescott Russell with non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 to help local tourism businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic and invest in new products and services to attract visitors and drive growth in the region. This support ensures the tourism sector in Ottawa has the tools to innovate and find new business opportunities as it safely welcomes back tourists from within Canada and around the world. Tourism businesses in Ottawa and Prescott-Russell can visit Ottawa Tourism’s Destination Development funding programs website page to learn more about the available funding and how to apply.

Last month, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced a non-repayable investment of $68.5 million for 11 Regional Tourism Organizations across southern Ontario and Indigenous Tourism Ontario. “The tourism sector is vital to the health of local economies in southern Ontario and creates jobs in communities across the region. Through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, Ottawa Tourism will be able to deliver financial support to local tourism businesses in the Ottawa region to help them recover from the impacts of the pandemic, attract new visitors and drive economic growth in our communities,” says the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

“We are honoured to be entrusted once again to deliver important funding to our tourism businesses in order to help them recover and adjust to the ‘new normal’ and implement innovations,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “Our tourism industry is ready to welcome visitors back safely and with the quality experiences they expect.” “This announcement is the latest example of our government’s ongoing support for Ottawa-area businesses in need of aid after two long years of hardship due to the global pandemic and the more recent illegal blockades,” says Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre. “This federal funding will help ensure that tourism businesses in Ottawa, including my riding of Ottawa Centre, can rebuild and recover. This will also bring innovative new experiences to visitors and residents of the National Capital Region.” “The National Capital Region is rich with culture, culinary delights and accessible outdoor spaces, making it a desirable travel destination for vacationers from near and far. Through FedDev Ontario’s Tourism Relief Fund investment in RTO 10, the Government of Canada is investing in the future of this region’s tourism sector by supporting local tourism businesses and operators so they can welcome visitors with new and exciting offerings,” says Marie-France Lalonde, MP for Orléans. The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.