Tourism Funding Programs

Last updated on December 15, 2023

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

Last updated: December 15, 2023

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Tourism funding sources

Indigenous Tourism COVID-19 tourism supports – Indigenous Tourism British Columbia offers comprehensive and frequent updates on credit and financing options, income and employee support, and Provincial and Federal funding programs. 

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.

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 for events that raise awareness of B.C.'s tourism brands nationally and internationally, and that motivate Canadians and people from around the world to travel and experience B.C.'s natural beauty and world class infrastructure.

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

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.

BC Tourism Resiliency Network provides B.C. tourism businesses with meaningful one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.

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.

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
  • Emergency Management BC
  • Regional Destination Management Organizations
  • B.C. Destination Marketing Organizations Association
  • Indigenous Tourism BC

B.C. Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative

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

The goals and intentions of the BCTCR is 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, please see Destination British Columbia’s website