The Government of Canada has recently announced an investment of nearly CA$6 million for 26 projects across the southern Ontario regions of Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia-Lambton.
The funding from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) aims to boost the region’s tourism industry and help communities recover from the pandemic.
According to Irek Kusmierczyk, member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh, the investments will ensure southwestern Ontario’s vibrant community spaces and tourist attractions will keep visitors coming back. The funds will also help create jobs and grow the local economy.
One of the projects that received support is Art Windsor-Essex’s digital tourism art experience, which received an investment of over CA$135,000. Developed in partnership with Moment Factory, the project will showcase artworks from the gallery’s collection and attract visitors to downtown Windsor. The project has already launched and will run until June 4, 2023.
Another project that received funding is Hackforge’s Tourism Innovation Lab “Spark” Program, which aims to develop inclusive tourism experiences for the region’s 2SLGBTQ2I+ community. The project received over CA$100,000 in support.
In addition, 24 other community infrastructure and tourism projects received funding to aid in recovery from the pandemic, safely welcome back visitors, and strengthen communities.
The Government of Canada’s CA$500-million Tourism Relief Fund aims to help tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth, with a minimum of CA$50 million allocated to supporting Indigenous-led or Indigenous-focused projects. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly CA$120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.
With these investments, the Government of Canada hopes to boost the tourism industry in southern Ontario and help communities rebound from the pandemic.
During the recent Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (COHCE), officials from Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada celebrated Canada’s tourism industry and shared what the industry looks like this year and beyond.
For private campground owners and operators, the future of Canada’s tourism industry looks promising. The government of Canada’s continued investment and support to the tourism industry will create a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.