Hard-hit Mississauga tourism businesses can ask Ontario for some of $100 million announced Monday
Published September 28, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Tourism businesses in Mississauga that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic may get a financial lifeline after the Ontario government announced yesterday it’s making $100 million available to help with recovery efforts.
As municipalities try to rebound from the devastating financial impact of the pandemic, the provincial government unveiled its new Tourism Recovery Program, geared to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry.
The program will help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs and help them prepare to reopen and safely welcome back visitors.
Municipalities and businesses in Mississauga and across Ontario can apply for money via the new program beginning Oct. 13.
“The last 18 months of the pandemic have been the most challenging Ontario’s tourism industry has ever faced. Previously an economic powerhouse for the province, tourism has been hit by the triple threat that COVID-19 represents–a health, economic and social crisis,” said Ontario Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod. “This critical funding will help support regionally significant businesses, while protecting jobs in communities that rely on the tourism industry.”
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Businesses that help drive employment and visitors to their regions are eligible to apply for funding under the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program. These organizations are key employers and tourism generators in all regions of the province.
Eligible tourism businesses include inns and lodges, boat tours, ski centres, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, and amusement and water parks.
The program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50 per cent of eligible revenue in 2020-21 compared to 2019. Funding will help successful applicants prepare to reopen safely, develop innovative tourism products, retain and create tourism jobs, and support tourism recovery in their region and throughout Ontario.
Successful recipients will have the flexibility to apply funds to any eligible expenses and do what makes the most sense for their businesses. Expenses could include reopening and operating costs such as staff salaries and maintenance, health and safety measures for visitors and workers, tourism product and experience development, or marketing.
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