More provincial support for the beleaguered tourism industry.
Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod has introduced a new $100 million Ontario Tourism Recovery Program
MacLeod says the funding will assist those in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors.
“We’re dealing with a suite of sectors that represents $75 billion in Ontario’s economy. To put that in perspective that’s larger than mining, forestry and agriculture put together. It is larger than the GDP of Manitoba.”
She adds, “On March 13, 2020, these sectors lost a combined $20 billion in that year. We also estimate that this year, 2020-2021, those same sectors have lost $24 billion.”
The Ontario Tourism Recovery Program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50% of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019.
Those eligible to apply include hotels, lodges, ski hills, live performance venues, drive-in theatres, and local airlines that service provincial routes, including northern Ontario.
Applications for this program will open on October 13.
MacLeod notes, “This program will allow funding recipients to have flexibility. To apply funds to any eligible expenses and do what makes the most sense for their business. Eligible expenses include staff salaries, health and safety measures, and marketing expenses.”
She stresses the last 18-months of the pandemic have been the most challenging Ontario’s tourism industry has ever faced
“Funding will help successful applicants to reopen safely. Develop adaptive and innovative tourism products. Retain and create tourism jobs and support tourism recovery in every region.”, says MacLeod.
