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Tourism Funding, Programs and Resources

Last updated on September 18, 2024

There are a number of different funding sources, programs and resources available to support B.C.'s tourism sector.

Last updated: September 18, 2024

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Tourism funding sources

Indigenous Tourism BC Funding Sources – Indigenous Tourism British Columbia has a comprehensive list of municipal, regional, federal, and non-government financial resources dedicated to building a healthy and sustainable Indigenous tourism economy. 

Municipal and Regional District Tax – This tax program for communities provides funding for local tourism marketing, programs and projects.

Resort Municipality Initiative – This program funds projects in resort-based communities. Projects funded aim to increase resort activities, amenities, visitation, visitor activity, private investment, employment in the community, tourism contribution to the local economy, and municipal tax revenue.

B.C. Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund - Provides one-time grants to event organizers to support the sustained recovery of community events. 

Tourism Events Program – Provides funding to event organizers to strengthen B.C.'s reputation as an events destination and motivate residents and visitors from around the world to experience B.C.'s natural beauty and world-class amenities.

B.C. Climate Resiliency Initiative – Provides micro-grant funding for eligible tourism businesses ready to build on their sustainability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain sustainability certification. 

Destination Development Fund – Provides one-time grants to support the development and rejuvenation of tourism infrastructure, assets and experiences. 

Other sources of funding

Non-tourism specific sources of funding include the following:

Economic development funding and grants search tool – Use this tool to search various funding sources for provincial and other (non-governmental, regional, federal) programs and initiatives.

B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) is for employers to train new or existing employees for jobs that need to be filled.

Regional Economic Trusts – The Economic Trusts are mandated to stimulate economic development in the targeted sectors of forestry, transportation, tourism, mining, energy, economic development, agriculture, and small business.

Tourism programs and resources

Destination British Columbia has a number of resources and opportunities available to assist you in growing and developing tourism in your region.

In addition, Go2HR offers SuperHost® Customer Service Training workshops for those employed in the service and hospitality industries.

The Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy - preparing for climate change strengthens the sector’s ability to respond to extreme events like wildfires, flooding and heatwaves, as well as more gradual changes like water shortages and sea level rise.

B.C. Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative

The B.C. Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative is a provincial foundational program to support the tourism sector in addressing and preparing for climate change. Started in FY 2023/24 with an investment of $3 million through Destination British Columbia, the initiative will help develop a resilient tourism sector that is prepared to adapt to climate change.

The initiatives' goals and intentions are to ensure: 

  • B.C.’s tourism industry is better prepared to adapt to climate change.
  • B.C.’s tourism industry is using a standard set of tools to track, measure and improve sustainable practices and climate adaptation initiatives.
  • A foundation is set for a long-term sustainability and climate adaptation approach for the tourism sector in B.C.

The Initiative includes four key projects:

  • Project 1 – Facilitated sustainable tourism and climate adaptation planning for tourism businesses
  • Project 2 – Micro-grants to support sustainability and climate adaptation plan implementation
  • Project 3 – Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Data Framework
  • Project 4 – Community Destination Stewardship Initiative

For more information on the projects and application intakes, please see Destination British Columbia’s website. 

Farm tourism in B.C.

Farmers interested in diversifying their farm offerings by providing tourism experiences can now access information on where to start. A Farm Tourism Guide (PDF, 371KB) is now available to help farmers navigate farm tourism requirements.   

The guide provides farmers with high-level information to assist with: 

  • Determining the different levels of participation in farm diversification  
  • Understanding the regulatory landscape  
  • Exploring the opportunities and benefits of farm diversification 
  • Navigating to additional supports and resources available online  

Farm tourism can enhance economic viability and resiliency by expanding marketing and advertising reach, attracting new customers, engaging with the community, increasing farm sales, and providing supplementary income, particularly in the off season. 

Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC)

The TEMC was established to help ensure:

  • Safety of visitors in B.C.
  • Viability of tourism businesses
  • Reputation of B.C. as a safe and welcoming destination

TEMC created a Tourism Emergency Management Framework (PDF, 1.57 MB) that supports four emergency management pillars: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Download a one-page version of the framework (PDF, 140 KB).

TEMC includes representatives from government as well as the tourism industry, including:

  • Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Tourism Industry Association of BC
  • Destination BC
  • Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Regional Destination Management Organizations
  • B.C. Destination Management Organization Association
  • Indigenous Tourism BC

Tourism industry members can find resources and tools to support emergency preparedness and response here.

Visitors looking for information to support trip planning should visit Destination BC's Know Before You Go page for the latest updates and resources.