Government of Canada supports Regional Tourism Organization 4 Inc. through the Tourism Relief Fund

RTO4 to deliver $5 million in federal funding to support tourism businesses in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties

News Release

For Immediate Release

April 22, 2022    Kitchener, Ontario

Tourism is essential to the vitality of small businesses and communities in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties, with millions of visitors drawn to the area’s attractions each year – from theatres and festivals to the Grand River and shores of Lake Huron. The Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) ensures that Canadian tourism destinations can receive the support they need to continue to attract visitors as Canada recovers from the pandemic and we continue to grow our economy.

On April 6, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced a non-repayable investment of $68.5 million for 11 Regional Tourism Organizations across southern Ontario and the Indigenous Tourism Ontario.

As part of this investment, RTO4 is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $5 million through the Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by FedDev Ontario. With this funding, RTO4 is providing eligible tourism businesses in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth] with non-repayable contributions of up to $100,000 to help local tourism businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic and invest in new products and services to attract visitors and drive growth in the region. This support will ensure the tourism sector in  Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties has the tools to innovate and find new business opportunities as we safely welcome back tourists from within Canada and around the world.

Tourism businesses in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties can visit www.rto4.ca to learn more about available funding and how to apply. Initial intake period closes May 15, 2022.

Quotes

“The tourism sector is vital to the health of local economies in southern Ontario and creates jobs in communities across the region. Through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, RTO4 will be able to deliver financial support to local tourism businesses in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties to help them recover from the impacts of the pandemic, attract new visitors and drive economic growth in our communities.”

  • The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Our tourism industry has been among the most affected sectors through the COVID-19 pandemic. With this $5 million investment through FedDev Ontario’s Tourism Relief Fund, the Government of Canada is supporting Regional Tourism; and helping our businesses and communities to adapt their operations and safely welcome back visitors.”

  • Tim Louis, MP, Kitchener—Conestoga

“We are immensely grateful to the Government of Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario for this critical support for the tourism industry. This program will make an impact on local businesses and organizations both in the short and long term on the road to recovery and reimagination by allowing stakeholders to make strategic investments in product and destination development.”

  • Andrea Gardi, Executive Director, RTO4

Quick facts

  • RTO4’s mission is to develop, enhance and strengthen a results-oriented and sustainable tourism economy through strategic industry partnerships.
  • The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.

Associated Links

Contacts

Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
monica.granados@feddevontario.gc.ca

Andrea Gardi
Executive Director, RTO4
andrea@rto4.ca

About FedDev Ontario

For more than 12 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support jobs, innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our Southern Ontario Spotlight, pivotal projects, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About RTO4

Regional Tourism Organization 4 Inc. (RTO4), one of 13 regional tourism offices established by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries in the province of Ontario, provides leadership and support to a flourishing tourism economy in Waterloo, Wellington, Huron and Perth Counties. RTO4 has been called the “petri dish of tourism development in North America” by the Canadian Tourism Commission, specifically because of its innovative, analytical and non-traditional approach to growing tourism and economic development.