Tourism Growth Program in British Columbia

Applications for the Tourism Growth Program are no longer being accepted. Submitted applications are under assessment. Applicants can view their Submitted Application in the Portal under the “View Submissions” tab. 

PacifiCan is the federal economic development agency dedicated to British Columbians.

PacifiCan’s goals are:

  • quality jobs for British Columbians
  • competitive industry clusters
  • globally successful businesses
  • growth that includes rural, Indigenous and underrepresented communities

To support B.C.’s dynamic tourism industry, PacifiCan is making strategic investments in growing companies through the new Tourism Growth Program.

Guides and help
  • TGP Applicant Guide 

On this page

Program overview

Tourism drives economic development and diversification in many Canadian regions and communities. The Government of Canada’s Tourism Growth Program (TGP) aims to help small and medium-sized businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities to grow and develop tourism products and experiences that position Canada as a destination of choice.

Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, including PacifiCan, the $108 million TGP provides regionally tailored funding over three years to support communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations in growing and developing local tourism projects and events.

The TGP contributes to the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which charts a course for long-term growth, investment, and stability in Canada’s tourism sector, from coast to coast to coast. The program also complements provincial/territorial programs and other federal support for the tourism sector.

Eligible applicants

The TGP program is open to businesses and not-for profit organizations. Businesses may apply for interest-free repayable contributions. Not-for profit organizations may apply for non-repayable contributions.

Applicants must also meet the following mandatory criteria:

All eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.

For Businesses

Indigenous applicants

Indigenous tourism is vital to the economic development and growth of Canada’s tourism sector, from coast to coast to coast, and is a priority under the Tourism Growth Program. Through the $108 million TGP, approximately 15 percent of funding will specifically support Indigenous tourism initiatives. Indigenous applicants are invited to apply through the process below.

Applicants eligible for funding under the TGP include entities such as:

Priorities

Project activities must include at least one of the following priority areas (in no order of preference):

Note that as the TGP focuses on growth, preference will be given to project proposals with a demonstrated focus on:  

The agency will also consider the overall regional distribution of projects.

Eligible project activities

Eligible projects must be incremental to the applicant’s existing activities and align with at least one of the six program priorities listed above. Examples of project activities may include, but are not limited to:

Funding

Eligible businesses can apply for interest-free repayable funding of up to $250,000 to support the growth of tourism operations. Preference will be given to projects seeking 50% or less funding from PacifiCan. The stacking limit (from other government sources) cannot generally exceed 50% of eligible capital costs and 75% for other eligible costs.

Eligible not-for-profit organizations  proposing commercial projects can apply for repayable funding of up to $250,000 to support the growth of the tourism industry. Preference will be given to projects seeking 65% or less in funding from PacifiCan. The stacking limit may be up to 90% of eligible costs.

All non-PacifiCan sources of funding must be confirmed at time of application and start date of the project.

Eligible costs

All proposed costs should be incremental and essential to the implementation of the project. Costs that may be eligible for reimbursement include:

Costs may be eligible on a retroactive basis for a 12-month period prior to the receipt of a funding application, but no earlier than March 29, 2023.

All project activities must be completed and costs incurred by March 31, 2026.

Ineligible Costs

Costs deemed not incremental, and/or not directly related to project activities will be ineligible for reimbursement, for example:

Project costs incurred by the applicant in the absence of a signed funding agreement with PacifiCan are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant.

Expected results

PacifiCan is looking to support projects that have a viable plan to produce strong economic outcomes in the tourism sector. Applicants must quantify, substantiate and later report on the following expected results that are applicable:

Application Requirements

PacifiCan requires the items below to support your application for funding:

If the project has confirmed funding at the time of application, please attach proof of all sources of non-PacifiCan funding. PacifiCan considers the following as sources of confirmed funding:

This documentation is necessary to consider non-PacifiCan funding as confirmed.

We may require additional documentation and information as part of a more detailed assessment.

Please note:

After Submitting an Application

Assessment process

Applications will be evaluated on their ability to achieve the Tourism Growth Program objectives and on their ability to demonstrate:

Although PacifiCan may engage applicants directly on outstanding questions or issues, applicants are advised to submit a complete and thorough application.

Reporting and Project Funding

What is the likelihood that I will receive funding?

Only applications demonstrating the highest merit and fit with TGP objectives will be considered for funding.

How are disbursements made?

If you are successful in obtaining TGP funding for your project, PacifiCan will normally provide the funding in periodic reimbursements, based on the submission of claims for reimbursement. These reimbursements will be released to recipients for the approved portion (i.e. up to 100%) of eligible projects costs that have been incurred and paid.

Recipients will need to plan project cash flows accordingly based on the timing of the claims and the period to process the reimbursement. PacifiCan will provide an orientation to this process to all those who are approved for TGP funding.

Potential funding recipients are expected to have secured all non-PacifiCan requested project financing before applying.

What kind of reporting is required during the project?

All successful recipients will sign a standard Contribution Agreement with PacifiCan. The Agreement outlines the obligations of the funding recipient, including the submission of claims information and periodic progress reports (minimum 2 per year).

When must projects be completed?

Projects may vary in duration, typically ranging from a few months to a couple of years. All project activities and costs must be completed by March 31, 2026.

Repayable Contributions

Contribution towards a commercial project with a SME are interest free and fully repayable. 

Contacts

For additional Tourism Growth Program information, contact us directly at 604-666-6256 or 1-888-338-9378 (toll-free) or at info@pacifican.gc.ca.

Mailing address: 1300-300 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B4

 

Page details

Date modified: