In an effort to help Ontario’s tourism industry bounce back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government is investing almost $70 million in relief support.
FedDev Ontario announced on Wednesday that Indigenous Tourism Ontario and 11 regional tourism organizations (RTO) would receive $68.5 million through the Tourism Relief Fund.
“The Government of Canada investment announced today will ensure small tourism businesses and organizations in southern Ontario are supported as they find new and innovative ways to attract visitors,” said Helena Jaczek, the minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, in a news release. “The tourism sector is vital to communities and drives economic growth in local economies in southern Ontario and across Canada. Our government will continue to ensure the tourism sector has the tools it needs to recover so it is well-positioned for a strong and resilient economic future.”
The 11 RTOs across southern Ontario will receive a combined $65 million of that investment, to be distributed through non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 to tourism-oriented businesses and organizations. The federal government said the investment will support up to 1,300 tourism entities and create or maintain up to 4,100 jobs.
One of the 11 RTOs, the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, will receive a total of $7 million to use in Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex, Sarnia-Lambton, London-Middlesex, Oxford County, Norfolk County, Haldimand County, and Elgin County.
The remaining $3.5 million will go to Indigenous Tourism Ontario, to be contributed to Indigenous businesses, not-for-profit organizations, band councils, and Indigenous communities to invest in new or enhanced tourism experiences, upgrade tourism assets, and attract domestic and international tourists. Up to 40 Indigenous projects will be supported through the investment, along with 100 jobs that will be created or maintained.
