Tourism Industry

The Tourism, Culture and Sport Grant Program supports and enhances tourism, culture and sport in Simcoe County by:

• Investing in tourism, culture and sport activities that promote awareness, access, participation and appreciation of the distinct, diverse offerings within the County of Simcoe
• Building organizational capacity in local existing and new organizations
• Encouraging collaborative opportunities and partnerships
• Contributing to the County of Simcoe’s overall economic health and sense of place
• Enhancing participants’ experiences by supporting innovative and accessible programming

Applications will be accepted for photo and/or video production, storytelling, product and/or experience development, marketing, event enhancement, operator engagement, capacity-building activities, cycling infrastructure and tourism wayfinding signage.

Applicants have until June 30, 2021 to apply

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.

HASCAP is available to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic. 

Eligible businesses can start applying as early as February 1, 2021 at principal financial institutions and more widely by February 15, 2021.

Applicants have until June 30, 2021 to apply

Ontario Parks has designed the Commercial Day Use Vehicle Permit for 2021 with accommodators in mind. This initiative will provide a simple, effective and affordable option for tourism operators to add value to their guests' experience by packaging and promoting day-use visits to local provincial parks as a component of their promotional offers.

The pass provides unlimited day-use access to all provincial parks where payment is normally required. The permit is now available for purchase online at the Ontario Parks store or at your local provincial park for $225 + HST.

The pass is valid from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Read more

Federal Development will be offering interest free loans for SMEs that have not been able to access other resources. No security, no payments required until December 31, 2022. All applications will be completed online. CFDCs will be offering the same option 1 product in rural communities that are serviced by the Community Futures Program. Businesses can only apply to one stream. Apply Now!​

Option 1: Up to a $40,000 Conditionally Repayable Contribution (Interest-Free Loan)

• An interest-free loan with partial forgiveness of loan amount
• No payments required until December 31, 2022
• Up to 25 percent (or $10,000) contribution forgiveness, provided 75 percent, or up to $30,000 is paid back by December 31, 2022
• If 75 percent of the contribution amount is not repaid by December 31, 2022, the balance owing will be converted to a term loan with no forgivable portion

 Option 2: Up to a $500,000 Unconditionally Repayable Contribution (Interest-Free Loan)

• An interest-free fully repayable contribution (loan)
• 100% repayable
• No payments required until December 31, 2022
• Fixed payment schedule beginning January 2023​

Tourism operators who provide copies of receipts for $1,500 in operational expenses to the Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) can receive a Consumer Confidence video developed for your business, to provide assurance to consumers and employees of safety precautions you are undertaking.

This fund is available on a first-come first-served basis. Read more

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) will reimburse tourism businesses a maximum of $1,000 towards the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) or costs incurred to adhere to social distancing, touchless payments, new technology, increased cleaning, sanitation, etc. This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2020. Businesses will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are allocated. Read more

Eligibility: Operators with direct access to tourists and rely directly on those tourists, for a significant portion of their revenue, currently servicing the consumers within Bruce/Grey/Simcoe. OR

Have served the tourism consumer during 2020 OR be planning to serve the tourism consumer within 45 days of the application date in the case of seasonal businesses or event organizations. 

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada.

The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene protocols - so consumers can experience Safe Travels. 

Apply here. 

See list of applicants. 

South Georgian Bay Tourism (SGBT) will be offering complimentary membership to tourism businesses in South Georgian Bay, including Wasaga Beach.

SGBT is committed to COVID-19 recovery and continue to be the first-stop for visitor inquiries to the region. Register for free today to claim your complimentary listing. Enhanced listings are still available for $150. 

The SGBT website is promoted through Google Ad Campaigns with an annual budget of $170,000.

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has launched a 2020 free membership initiative to individuals and businesses in the tourism industry. With this, TIAO will continue to advocate on your behalf, and provide an even more inclusive message as they represent your voice to the provincial government. Read more

Benefits include:

• FREE Membership within TIAO for a period of one year from the date of signing.
• For those who have paid their membership already, you can become a Green Shoots sponsor. This sponsorship will be recognized by TIAO and will help support research and vital actions to rebuild and to represent the tourism industry's voice to the Ontario government. 

The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million through the new Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund and offering promotional incentives at provincial attractions to help the province's tourism industry and welcome back visitors after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will support projects that develop innovative tourism products and experiences, drive private sector tourism investments, workforce development, and support tourism operators to learn more through tourism industry associations. Read more