Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund
RTO 9 delivers over $4.65 million for 79 businesses
RTO 9 delivers over $4.65 million for 79 businesses and organizations, with support from the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, to attract visitors and support future growth
RTO 9 received $4.65 million through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic, create jobs and prepare for future growth.
This includes Bear Standing Tall & Associates, which is receiving $100,000 to create a Tipi Village that will provide a tourism hub in Ontario to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada’s $78-million investment through the Tourism Relief Fund is helping communities across southern Ontario. With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future.” Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting businesses and organizations through these challenging times, keeping safety as the top priority while ensuring they get support to quickly recover, innovate their products and services, and thrive. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses/organizations adapt, make improvements, and be ready to welcome back guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector survive the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
“We are very pleased to be able to support and grow the tourism sector within southeastern Ontario. These funds will certainly help tourism businesses thrive through recovery.” Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director, Regional Tourism Organization 9
Quick facts
- RTO 9 works closely with tourism-related business owners across southeastern Ontario in the development and promotion of visitation to the region. The organization works closely with destination marketing organizations, destination marketing programs, municipalities, counties and independent business owners to explore strategic projects and programs to support and grow tourism
- The Government of Canada’s $4.65-million investment in RTO 9 is part of an over $78-million investment for ITO and RTOs in southern Ontario.
- 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.
For Profit Business Example
Wynn Farms
A new 50-acre sunflower farm is being added to the business. Visitors can wander paths, take photos along the water’s edge, and pick flowers in the cutting garden. A picnic area serving scooped ice cream is also being added to the farm.
Not-for Profit Example
Station Road Arts Collective
The collective launched a self-contained playhouse on wheels. Pulled by Belgian horses, the new Roamin’ Theatre Roulant travels throughout Prince Edward County, hosting inventive performances by talented professionals.
Not-for-Profit Event Example
Department of Illumination
The 10th annual Firelight Lantern Festival becomes a two-day celebration in November. With funding, organizers can upgrade the digital ticket system, streamline procedures, and offer free public space performances.
Indigenous Tourism
Akwesasne Powwow
Through artistry, song, and dance, the powwow gives its 8000 guests the chance to experience Mohawk and other First Nations culture. The funding helped this annual non-profit event return to celebrate in September.
Associated Link
About FedDev Ontario
About the Regional Tourism Relief Fund – RTO 9
In October 2022, Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9) announced support for 79 tourism businesses and organizations in South Eastern Ontario to recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. RTO 9 received $4.6 million through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic, create jobs and prepare for future growth.
Please see the backgrounder for information on all projects receiving support.
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth, and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
