Tourism Relief Fund

Tourism businesses across British Columbia were among the hardest hit during the pandemic, and the Tourism Relief Fund was created to help the sector stabilize, adapt, and prepare for long-term recovery. Delivered in B.C. by Pacific Economic Development Canada as part of a national initiative, the program focused on helping tourism operators adjust to public health realities while investing in experiences that would attract visitors back when travel resumed. Although the Tourism Relief Fund is now closed, it played an important role in supporting the province’s tourism ecosystem during a critical period.

The fund supported a wide range of tourism-related projects, from upgrading visitor experiences and modernizing services to destination planning and community-led tourism development. Both for-profit and non-profit organizations were supported, including tourism associations and Indigenous organizations, with dedicated funding set aside nationally for Indigenous tourism initiatives. Financial support was typically non-repayable and could cover a meaningful share of project costs, making it easier for organizations to move forward with improvements they might otherwise have delayed.

For businesses and tourism organizations in British Columbia, the Tourism Relief Fund is a useful reference point for understanding the types of projects and investments governments are willing to support in the sector. Reviewing how this program was structured can help inform future funding opportunities that aim to strengthen tourism, enhance visitor experiences, and build long-term resilience.