Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Receive up to $500,000 in Tourism Funding Support.

The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) supports projects empowering tourism businesses to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors; and helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors in the post-pandemic era.

This program is currently closed. To see more Canadian government funding programs, visit our Government Funding Directory.

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Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Amount of Funding

For For-Profit Businesses:

  • Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum $100K non-repayable contributions; or
  • Up to 75% of eligible expenses to a maximum $500K fully repayable contributions

For Not-for-Profit Organizations & Indigenous Entities (not generating profits):

  • Project contribution amounts would not normally exceed $500,000;
  • Actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to carry out the project; and
  • Contributions will normally be non‑repayable.
Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Eligible Applicants

Applicants may be eligible if they:

  • Incorporated businesses (primarily SMEs) not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations);
  • Co-operatives , municipalities, municipal development corporations, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous/First Nations/Métis Settlement owned businesses or organizations;
  • Applicants must be a key supplier/operator or part of a defined tourism cluster or have an anchor product/service that provides the catalyst for the visitor to visit the destination;
  • Restaurants, retailers and hotel chains are not eligible; and
  • Not ideal for funding requests related to festivals, trade events, or industry shows.
Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Eligible Activities

Projects may be eligible for funding if they meet the following criteria:

Product development and enhancement of tourism experiences to help tourism businesses to modernize tourism offerings and to help the sector adopt more environmentally sustainable practices:

  • Creating, adapting, and enhancing protocols and permanent infrastructure to meet health and safety requirements to accommodate visitors/employees; and
  • Modernizing operations, attractions, greening initiatives, and online sales services and developing capacity for more inclusive tourism experiences (e.g., staff training to ensure welcoming, gender-neutral washroom facilities, etc.)

Destination development projects that would position communities to take advantage of post-pandemic opportunities:

  • Enhancing tourism services and experiences, including market readiness designed to help communities and SMEs develop experiential tourism; and
  • Implementing strategies to re-activate and animate downtown cores, main streets, and business districts.

*Recipients will not normally receive funding for more than one project.

Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)

Program Deadline

This program is currently closed. Projects must be completed before March 31, 2023.

Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding
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