Tourism & Hospitality
Tourism businesses can find funding for new visitor experiences, marketing, staff training and cash flow. Regional tourism funds, such as the Tourism Growth Program, have paid for new tourism products, technology and accessibility. They are closed now, and we watch for the next intake. Yukon and the Northwest Territories run tourism marketing and tourism training funds. Tourism loans in some provinces may help with capital and operating costs. We check which programs are open, explain the rules and intake dates, and send deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site.
Common costs
Costs funding can help with
New experiences cost money up front
A new tour, room or attraction must be built before the first guest pays. Regional tourism funds have paid for new products and experiences, and they are closed now. Some of these funds are repayable, so read the terms when they reopen.
Reaching visitors before they travel
Visitors choose before they leave home. Some tourism marketing funds may pay part of the cost of advertising, trade shows and marketing materials.
Seasonal staff need training
Each season brings new staff who need training fast. Tourism training funds in some territories may pay up to 75% of eligible training costs. Canada Summer Jobs may pay part of the wages of a young person (aged 15 to 30) in a new summer job.
Cash flow in the off-season
The season is short, but bills come all year. In some provinces, tourism operating loans may help with cash flow. These are loans, not grants.
Funding paths
Where to start, in order
- 01
Build new visitor experiences
Regional tourism funds have paid for new tourism products, technology and accessibility. The Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario, for example, has offered repayable funding of up to $250,000 per project for businesses. It is closed now, and we watch for the next intake.
- 02
Market to visitors
Some tourism marketing funds may pay part of the cost of advertising and trade shows. The Yukon Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund is one example. Some digital programs for tourism have also paid for online booking.
- 03
Train seasonal staff
Tourism training funds, such as those in Yukon and the Northwest Territories, may pay part of the cost of courses for staff. Wage subsidies may pay part of the wages for summer hires.
Funding categories
Programs that may relate
Tourism and regional development programs usually run in set intakes. They may support new experiences, marketing or training, and each has its own rules and budget. The program decides who is approved. We track status and link each program to its official source, where you apply.
We track 120 programs across Canada that may fit a tourism business. Here are examples from different provinces. You can also check your funding fit to see the ones your province offers.
Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000
Starter Company Plus pairs a grant of up to $5,000 with hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
Checked
Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
Checked
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Entrepreneur Support
Up to $25,000
This territorial program helps NWT entrepreneurs fund start-ups, expansion, and market development.
Checked
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Strategic Investments
Up to $75,000
This program helps Northwest Territories businesses make large investments that create local jobs and business activity.
Checked
Manitoba: Paid Work Experience Tax Credits
Up to $5,000
A family of fully refundable provincial tax credits for employers in Manitoba who hire co-op students, co-op graduates, high school vocational…
Checked
Economic Development Fund: Tier 1
Up to $30,000
This territorial program helps Yukon businesses and communities build long-term economic strength.
Checked
New tourism business funding, straight to your inbox
Programs for businesses like yours open and close all year. One short email when something worth your time changes, and nothing else.
Funding by need
Funding for what tourism businesses need
Funding for Tourism
Grants and loans that may help pay for visitor marketing and online booking.
Funding for Training
Grants to help you train staff and adopt new digital tools.
Funding for Online Ordering and Booking
Grants and loans may help pay for online ordering, booking and reservation systems.
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
Where you are
Funding and grants in your province
Frequently asked questions
What tourism funding exists in Canada right now?
Tourism programs usually run in set intakes through provincial bodies, regional development agencies and territories, and they open and close often. Some pay for new products and experiences, some for marketing, and some for training. Some are repayable. A list goes out of date fast, so we check what is open now and link every program to its official source. You can check the status there and apply.
When do tourism programs take applications?
Many tourism programs take applications in set intakes, not all year. Some close early when the budget runs out. Plan early, because some programs will not pay for costs you had before approval. We send deadline alerts so you know when an intake opens.