Ontario Tourism Grant for Small Businesses 2026

Published March 2, 2026 · Updated for 2026 funding landscape

Ontario's tourism sector — from Niagara Falls and the Muskoka cottage country to the Bruce Trail and the Ottawa Valley — contributes more than $35 billion annually to the provincial economy. Small tourism businesses, including bed and breakfasts, adventure tour operators, heritage attractions, and boutique inns, often lack the resources to pursue growth funding independently. This guide maps the major provincial and regional grant programs available to Ontario tourism SMEs in 2026, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application strategies.

Ontario Tourism Modernization Stream

The Ontario government periodically opens targeted streams under the Ontario Tourism Modernization initiative, which funds tourism businesses investing in digital presence, accessibility upgrades, and visitor experience enhancement. Key features:

• Funding amount: Typically $5,000 to $50,000 in non-repayable contributions
• Eligible projects: Website and booking system upgrades, accessible infrastructure, multilingual visitor materials, energy efficiency improvements at visitor-facing facilities
• Eligibility: Ontario-registered businesses with a primary tourism focus, with demonstrated visitor revenue
• Application: Through the Ontario Tourism portal (ontario.ca/tourism-business-support); intake windows are announced seasonally

This program is competitive and over-subscribed when open. Prepare documentation ahead of an announcement: prior year revenue, project scope, cost estimates from contractors or vendors, and a clear explanation of how the project improves visitor experience.

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) Programs

Ontario is divided into 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs), each of which receives provincial and federal funding to support local tourism businesses. RTOs are a frequently overlooked source of grants, co-operative marketing funds, and subsidized services:

• RTO 7 (Niagara): Administers destination marketing co-ops, trade show participation subsidies, and photography/content creation funds for qualifying Niagara businesses
• RTO 12 (Near North): Funds digital marketing training and Indigenous tourism development
• RTO 9 (Bruce Grey Simcoe): Co-operative marketing programs for outdoor and agritourism operators

Contact your local RTO directly — most have a business development manager who can walk you through currently available streams. A directory of all 13 RTOs is available at ontariotravel.net/rtos.

FedDev Ontario Tourism Stream

FedDev Ontario, the federal regional development agency for southern Ontario, has historically supported tourism infrastructure through its Enabling Inclusive Growth and Collaborating for a Stronger Ontario programs. For tourism businesses:

• Minimum project size is typically $500,000 — making this relevant primarily for tourism associations, municipalities developing attraction infrastructure, or mid-sized hospitality operators undertaking major capital projects
• Strong preference for projects that create permanent employment, serve underrepresented communities, or demonstrate regional economic multiplier effects
• Expressions of Interest reviewed on a rolling basis; full proposals by invitation

CanExport Tourism

If your Ontario tourism business is trying to attract international visitors — particularly from the US, UK, Germany, or China — CanExport Tourism (delivered by Destination Canada) can fund up to 50% of eligible market development costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per year. Eligible expenses include:

• Participation in international travel trade shows (ITB Berlin, WTM London, IPW)
• Familiarization trips for international tour operators and travel media
• Translation and adaptation of marketing materials for international markets
• Targeted digital advertising campaigns in foreign markets

Applicants must be registered tourism businesses with existing products and some prior international visitor revenue or credible international marketing activity. Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund

Tourism businesses with a cultural or heritage dimension — historic sites, cultural festivals, Indigenous experience operators — can access the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF), administered by the Ontario Media Development Corporation. OCAF provides:

• Marketing grants: Up to $40,000 per project for marketing campaigns that attract tourists from beyond a 100km radius
• Product development grants: Up to $30,000 for developing new visitor experiences or programming
• Annual intake; applications typically open in September for the following tourism season

Canada-Ontario Job Grant for Tourism Employers

Tourism businesses are among the heaviest users of the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) for workforce training. As a small tourism employer (fewer than 100 employees), you can access up to $10,000 per employee for third-party training in:

• Smart Serve certification
• Food handler certification
• WHMIS and workplace safety
• First aid and emergency response
• Tourism-specific sales and customer service programs (Ontario Tourism Education Corporation courses)

Application Tips for Tourism Businesses

Seasonality is a challenge — plan ahead. Most tourism funding applications take 6–12 weeks to process. Apply in the off-season for projects you plan to launch by peak season.

Document your economic contribution. Visitor numbers, nights booked, local spending estimates, and employment figures dramatically strengthen any application. If you don't track these, start now.

Join your local tourism association. Many co-operative programs are only accessible through Destination Ontario, your local RTO, or a BIA/Chamber membership. The fee is usually small relative to the funding access it unlocks.

Related reading: Canada Jobs Grant Employer Guide | Arts & Cultural Space Grants Ontario | Grant Blog