The Government of Ontario announced Thursday it’s providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small travel and tourism businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.
The grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as travel advisors and agencies as well as, hotels, motels, resorts, and B&B’s.
To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.
Applications are now open and will close on Friday, 25JUN, 2021.
Small business owners can use the grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business.
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries made the announcement.
“Prior to the pandemic, Ontario’s tourism generated more than $36 billion in economic activity and supported more than 400,000 jobs across the province,” she said. “Our government is working with small businesses to overcome the challenges of the past year – through programs like the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant – and help the tourism industry reclaim its place as an economic powerhouse and key job creator in our province.”
“We know that tourism businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, as people and employers follow the necessary public health measures to keep people safe,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. “That’s why our 2021 Budget included funding for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant that will provide direct one-time payments to help thousands of businesses in Ontario.”
"We are ready to deliver payments to the tourism businesses that have faced revenue loss, building on fee relief provided to travel agents and wholesalers earlier in the pandemic," said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
For information on eligibilty and how to apply, go to www.ontario.ca/covidsupport.
