Government of Canada invests in first-in-Ontario digital tools to support tourism sector

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

Over $715,000 to develop local travel booking system and create jobs in Toronto region

June 28, 2023 – Toronto, Ontario   

Supporting Canadian tech innovators as they modernize and develop new processes, software and digital tools to improve the way Canadians live, work and travel is critical. That is why the Government of Canada is making targeted investments to ensure that our tech companies are equipped with the right tools to drive our local industries, including tourism, across our regions.

Today, James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke−Lakeshore, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced an investment of over $715,000 for Tourism Technology Co. (TTC), backed by its parent company The New Business (TNB), to provide digital solutions for businesses in the tourism sector, scale across North America, as well as create six jobs.

Currently, tourist attractions, particularly in smaller and rural communities, face challenges drawing visitors as their offerings are not showcased on larger, international booking sites. Through this investment, TTC has developed two tools: Booker, a digital travel reservation system and Tripper, a new itinerary planner, to help close that gap. Together, these solutions will provide a single-platform approach to booking accommodations, tours and local attractions that travellers may not otherwise have discovered online. This first-to-market, made-in-Ontario digital solution will support 20 tourism organizations and 4,000 local businesses to draw in new visitors. As a result, the technology will boost the local tourism sector and support the vitality of small and rural communities across the province and the country.

Through investments like these, the Government of Canada is supporting key sectors like technology and tourism as they drive our economy forward and support communities to thrive. 

Quotes

“Canadian tech companies, like Tourism Technology Co. and The New Business, work tirelessly to bring new products and processes to markets that will benefit our regional economies, expand our local tourism industries and most importantly, support Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting businesses as they adopt new digital solutions and create local jobs that will contribute to a growing economy that works for everyone.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Through investments like the one announced today for Tourism Technology Co. and The New Business, we are fostering the growth of an important sector with numerous ripple effects across not only this region but all of Canada. Together we are providing necessary tools to support the tourism and tech industries, while also creating good jobs in Toronto.”
– James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore

“By backing Tourism Technology Co., FedDev Ontario is supporting a vision of tourism supported by innovation that aims to keep more tourism dollars in local communities. With this investment, we will bring our technology to more destination management organizations and regional tourism authorities across Canada, empower them to strengthen the tourism ecosystem across the country.”
– Matthew Thomas, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Technology Co.

"After a decade of working in the tourism industry, we've seen an incredible need for greater digital adoption, especially in ecommerce. We're extremely grateful for the assistance of the Government of Canada toward the recovery and growth of our national tourism industry."
– Mike Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer, The New Business

Quick facts

  • Incorporated in 2018, Toronto-based Tourism Technology Corporation (TTC), was founded to develop and provide technology solutions, including Booker and Tripper, for tourism businesses and organizations. 

  • Founded in 2008 and located in Etobicoke, The New Business (TNB) provides a suite of solutions, including customized marketing strategies, digital traffic strategies, original content creation, creative briefs, website design, and tools and branding for tourism businesses and organizations. It is the parent company of TTC.

  • TNB and TTC’s current clients include tourism organizations, such as Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO), Ontario’s Highlands Tourism (RTO11); Hamilton Halton Brant (RTO3); Northeastern Ontario (RTO13); Hastings County, Terrace, BC, and Sunset County (RTO13) and Destination Ontario.

  • The Government of Canada understands the importance of the tourism sector and is committed to supporting communities as they build towards a strong future from coast to coast to coast, which is why FedDev Ontario delivered nearly $140 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario, including $76.5 million in support for southern Ontario's 11 Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO).

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $175 million in more than 50 projects in digital industries, creating over 1,700 jobs and maintaining over 1,100 jobs.

Associated links

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@feddevontario.gc.ca

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