Backgrounder: In celebration of Small Business Week, B.C. small businesses receive $1.2 million to enhance tourism experiences across the province

Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $1.2 million through the Tourism Relief Fund for eleven projects, located throughout British Columbia.

The projects announced include:

Vancouver Foodie Inc.
$50,000

This funding will allow Vancouver Foodie to relaunch, enhance and develop new food-tasting tours in Greater Vancouver focusing on West Coast Asian cuisine.

Ocean Light II Adventures Ltd.
$99,999

This funding will help Ocean Light II Adventures to upgrade a small passenger vessel, the Afterglow I, to enhance health and safety features.        

Encore Exhibitions Inc.
$99,999

This support will help Encore Exhibitions to revive and expand the West Coast Women's Show in Abbotsford.          

Iskwew Air Inc.
$99,999          

This funding will allow Iskwew Air to acquire an additional plane and expand direct air service between Vancouver International Airport and Qualicum Beach Airport, while building linkages to Indigenous tourism operators throughout Vancouver Island through travel packages and partnership promotion.

Canadian Wilderness Adventures Ltd.
$99,999  

This support will allow Canadian Wilderness Adventures to build tent and glamping sites, washrooms and a water filtration system for visitors to the Callaghan Valley near Whistler.

Bestcan Tours Inc.
$99,000         

This funding will allow Bestcan Tours to purchase an additional bus to accommodate more tourists, scale-up tour operations and improve the visitor experience.

Firework Productions Ltd.
$99,000          

This support will allow Firework Productions to re-establish and promote the annual Richmond Night Market, a key attraction in the community and the largest night market in North America.       

Pacific Coastal Cruises & Tours Ltd.
$400,000        

This funding will allow Pacific Coastal Cruises to modernize and upgrade their coastal cruiser and develop agreements with local tourism operators to launch cruising operations along the coast of B.C.

Vancouver Royal Tours.
$89,000

This support will allow Vancouver Royal Tours to purchase a shuttle van to accommodate more visitors, scale-up tour operations and modernize the visitor experience.

Crankworx Events Inc.  
$99,999

This support will allow Crankworx Events to organize and host a 10-day mountain bike festival and competition in Whistler.

Tourism Burnaby
$50,000

This funding will allow Tourism Burnaby to run a new Halloween themed festival throughout the month of October, drawing visitors to Burnaby and supporting local small businesses.

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• News Release: In celebration of Small Business Week, B.C. small businesses receive $1.2 million to enhance tourism experiences across the province