IMPORTANT NOTICE

As of May 28, 2024, no projects may be submitted until the analysis of all projects received has been completed. For the time being, the envelope allocated to this program has been exhausted.

To express your interest in applying to this program at a later date, and to be placed on the waiting list, please contact Pierre Kanapé, development consultant and this program's manager.

TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM – INDIGENOUS PROJECTS FOR QUEBEC

THANKS TO ITS LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC (CED), AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS TOURISM IN QUEBEC AND CANADA, INDIGENOUS TOURISM QUEBEC IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A MAJOR INVESTMENT PROJECT OF NEARLY $3.2 MILLION FOR DEVELOPING INDIGENOUS TOURISM EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL VISITORS, IN LINE WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE TOURISM GROWTH PROGRAM (TGP).

Indigenous tourism plays a key role in the development and growth of Canada's tourism industry and is a priority under the TGP. About 15% of the program’s funds are dedicated to Indigenous-led tourism initiatives across the country.

In Quebec, the Indigenous TGP, rolled out by Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ), will grant nearly $3.2 million in non-repayable financial support to Indigenous tourism.

ITQ provides a culturally relevant, criteria-based redistribution mechanism for Indigenous applicants seeking to submit projects aimed at developing and enhancing their tourism offer, with a focus on business and economic growth.

With this initiative, ITQ aims to facilitate access to funding and to support Indigenous tourism enterprises in their endeavours to attract visitors from outside Quebec through a structured and guided approach, and to meet the objectives of the TGP in terms of the development of the offer.

Tourism is a driving force for economic development and diversification in many regions and communities. Under this program, funding will be provided until March 31, 2026 to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) and communities in enhancing the tourism products and experiences that make Canada a top destination year-round.

Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants must be Indigenous*:

• SMEs, NPOs and social economy enterprises operating in the tourism industry.
• Indigenous-owned enterprises (including sole proprietors, band councils and Nunavik municipalities) or Indigenous tourism organizations (majority Indigenous-owned, managed or administered).

* Indigenous: An individual registered under the Indian Act or a member of the Inuit Nation. Proof will be required.

Businesses or organizations that are not primarily focused on the tourism industry, or whose services are not primarily intended for the use or benefit of the public, are not normally eligible unless they can effectively demonstrate that the project submitted significantly enhances the indigenous tourism offering in Quebec.  These sectors of activity are : 

Eligible activities
Eligible projects must provide added value to existing activities in the tourism industry and focus on business and economic growth. The Indigenous TGP in Quebec aims at increasing the capacity of local attractions to enhance their ability, over time, to attract visitors from outside Quebec. To this end, priority will be given to projects that:

• increase tourism spin-offs in communities by attracting more visitors to the regions, including rural communities.
• support the Indigenous tourism industry, i.e., projects in which Indigenous communities are directly involved and that leverage Indigenous culture, heritage, know‑how and traditions as key tourist attractions.
• foster the development of a sustainable tourism offer, i.e., one that takes into account current and future economic, social and environmental impacts while meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment, and host communities.
• enable the development or enhancement of active tourism experiences, i.e., outdoor and nature-based activities.
• extend the tourism season, i.e., projects aimed at developing products, services, or experiences that can boost tourist activity beyond the typical peak season or extend services throughout the year.

 Additional prioritization criteria

• Projects aimed at acquiring new equipment and improving Indigenous tourism visitor facilities.
• Projects that demonstrate the greatest impact on the development of tourism in the region.
• Projects that are ready to be implemented.
• Projects with promoters that demonstrate the financial involvement of other stakeholders.
• Projects located in urban tourism centres if they aim to attract tourists to regions or portions of territories that are devitalized or have little to no tourist traffic OR if they demonstrate direct spinoffs in neighbouring regions (e.g., new tourism circuits). These projects must demonstrate that they will ultimately enhance the potential of these regions or portions of territories to attract visitors from outside Quebec, as a direct result of the proposed project.

Note: Besides the quality of your application, ITQ reserves the right to base its funding decisions on the geographic scope, representation, and diversity of the projects.

Targeted outcomes
Your project must help strengthen Quebec’s Indigenous tourism industry by:

• creating, enhancing, or diversifying the regional tourism offer.
• increasing regional capacity to attract tourists from outside Quebec.
• creating or sustaining jobs.

Financial assistance
The investment is in the form of a non-repayable grant to foster the development of the Indigenous tourism offer and support the growth of Indigenous tourism. This includes increasing the capacity of local Indigenous attractions and events to build and consolidate a potential offer in the regions of Quebec to attract visitors from outside the province. The maximum support provided varies depending on the organization's status:

• Recipients must commit to project management.
• Recipients must also agree to receiving continuous support from the ITQ team throughout the project.
• Allocation priority: Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Only one project per recipient is permitted.

Application deadline: November 30, 2025

Deadline for finalizing agreements: December 31, 2025

Deadline for project completion and incurred costs (including deliveries): March 31, 2026

This program is made possible through the financial support of