Niagara: More than $1.2 million is being provided to support six Niagara tourism initiatives.
These investments are made through FedDev Ontario’s Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), which supports the creation, improvement or enhancement of tourism products, facilities and experiences.
Support for the region’s wine, food and craft beverage industry include:
- Up to $250,000 for the Grape Growers of Ontario to coordinate and host the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in 2020, which will showcase the region’s wines and local foods to over 600 delegates from around the world;
- Up to $50,000 for the Corporation of the City of St. Catharines to develop and launch “GoSip Niagara”, a website dedicated to promoting the Niagara Ale Trail and expanding Niagara Region’s craft food and beverage industry; and,
- Up to $34,160 in funding for The Exchange Brewery to establish Sourpalooza, Niagara’s first and only sour beer and local food festival, as an annual event.
Another $175,000 for the Corporation of the City of St. Catharines will support two annual Celebration of Nations Indigenous Arts Gatherings, as well as 20 Indigenous-focused performances and films, helping the local Indigenous community to showcase their creativity, traditions and history, while growing tourist attendance and engagement in Niagara.
$500,000 is being available for the Corporation of the City of Welland to create a year-round tourist destination located along the waterway. $200,000 was set aside for the Corporation of the City of Port Colborne to enhance H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park to better accommodate special community, regional, and national events, including the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival.
Government support for these projects will boost local economic growth, while allowing Canadians and visitors to Canada to experience Niagara’s rich cultural heritage and discover—or rediscover—all that Niagara has to offer.
“Niagara is rich in history, character and spectacular geography that draws visitors from across Canada and around the world. These investments will enable local businesses and organizations in the Niagara Region to develop facilities and experiences that will attract even more visitors year-round. This will help our communities reap the benefits of the global tourism boom to diversify their economies and create good jobs for middle-class families, while showcasing Niagara’s features to the rest of Canada and the world,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.
Quick Facts
- The Niagara region attracts around 13 million visitors annually, and these visitors support approximately 40,000 hospitality and tourism industry workers.
- Tourism represents more than two percent of Canada’s gross domestic product and supports more than 1.8 million jobs in Canada.
- The new federal tourism strategy will create more than 54,000 jobs in Canada and increase economic benefits by over 25 percent.
- The Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), a two-year fund delivered by regional development agencies, helps Canada’s tourism sector innovate and grow by providing targeted investments based on regional priorities.
- Regional development agencies are one of Canada’s four flagship platforms supporting innovation, along with the Industrial Research Assistance Program, the Strategic Innovation Fund and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
- Approved funding is subject to the terms of a contribution agreement.