Submit Applications for Tourism Development Fund (Canada)

Deadline: 14-Sep-23

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) program is an application-based, cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that encourage the development of innovative new tourism products, support tourism investment or build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry to foster new tourism investments.

The Tourism Development Fund Program is a cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that:

• encourages the development of innovative new tourism products
• supports tourism investment
• builds the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry to foster new tourism investments

The Tourism Development Fund Program aims to support projects that will increase tourist visitation and visitor spending in Ontario by:

• developing innovative tourism products and experiences
• increasing domestic and/or foreign private sector tourism investment
• strengthening the skills, resources and abilities of the tourism industry to attract or support new tourism investments

Program Priorities

You must demonstrate the following in your application:

• Strong organizational and leadership capacity for successful management of tourism projects of a similar scope or scale, including experience in tracking project metrics.
• A solid tourism-based rationale for the proposed project, including tourism industry analysis, research, future trends and linkages to regional and/or provincial tourism plans.
• Tourism/hospitality, business and community partnerships that support the project either through cash or inkind contributions. Partners that support the project but do not contribute to cash or in-kind contributions are encouraged to submit a Letter of Support.

Funding Information

The Tourism Development Fund is a matching funding program. You are eligible to apply for a grant of up to 50% of total eligible cash expenses to a maximum of $25,000.

Eligible Projects

Projects must meet all the following eligibility requirements:

• Take place between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024
• Occur in the province of Ontario
• Minimum 10% total cash expenses from the lead applicant organization

Eligible Expenses

• Expenses must be incurred after notification of funding approval and be fully spent before March 31, 2024. Eligible expenses only include expenses incurred for the delivery of the project and must not include costs related to ongoing costs of operation.
• Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
  • Consulting fees and project management services
  • Wages for temporary contract staff to support the delivery of the project
  • Research and tourism sector strategic planning
  • Business plan support
  • Economic impact studies and assessments for the development of new tourism products and experiences
  • Organizational development and capacity building
  • Translation costs directly related to the project
  • Other costs deemed reasonable and directly attributable to the project, that have been approved in writing by the ministry.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible organizations

• municipalities and destination marketing organizations (regional tourism organizations are not eligible)
• Indigenous organizations
• not-for-profit organizations (with a clearly defined tourism focus)
• for-profit tourism organizations
• for-profit tourism businesses

Requirements

To be eligible for the Tourism Development Fund program you must:

• have consulted with staff at the Investment and Development Office or the Regional Development Advisor to confirm project and expense eligibility
• be Ontario based, incorporated or legislated entities, in existence for a minimum of three years or more as of the date of application deadline. This includes those that are established by or under legislation; are federally or provincially incorporated; or are band councils as defined under the Indian Act
• have a Canadian bank account in the legal name of the applying organization, at a Canadian financial institution conducting business in Ontario
• not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario
• be able to begin your project within 60 days of notification to ensure performance metrics will be met

For more information, visit Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.