The Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Program can help you re-invent, improve or expand your tourism product and operation to meet future market demands by providing funding for business planning, product development and packaging as well as marketing.

Who is eligible?

• NWT Businesses, economic development agencies, and communities.
• Aboriginal Organizations.
• Potential aboriginal culture tourism ventures.

Funding:

Under TPDMP support can be provided in three schedules:

Schedule 1: Business Planning and Transition Assistance

• Up to $25 000 is available per applicant
• Funds may be applied toward the development of business plans to enhance an existing tourism product or develop a new product with the intent of increasing revenues for an existing Tourism Businesses and attracting new visitors to the NWT
• Costs may include: consulting fees and costs for business plan development, or costs associated with consulting related to obtaining a Tourism Operator Licence

Schedule 2: Product Development and Enhancement

• Up to $250 000 over a single or multiple years. Recipients who receive up to $250,000 will be able to re‑apply again after five years has elapsed from receipt of the contribution.
• Funds may be applied towards the development of a new tourism product or the enhancement of an existing product with the intent of attracting new visitors to the NWT.
• Costs may include: Start-up, capital acquisition, skills upgrading, services or amenities upgrading, website development, or development costs associated with product offerings.

Schedule 3: Marketing Assistance for Tourism Businesses

• Up to $10 000 per applicant.
• Funds may be applied towards marketing projects.
• Costs may include: travel to trade shows, brochure/pamphlet development, launch campaigns, or development/modification of websites.

Costs of Fees:

Schedule 1 – Business Planning and Transition Assistance

• Equity requirement of 15% including Sweat Equity.

Schedule 2 – Product Development and Enhancement

• Equity requirement of 15%.
• Up to $10 000 in existing Equity (captial infrastructure for which no previous contribution funds have been received from the GNWT) and/or Sweat Equity may be applied towards the project.

Schedule 3 – Marketing Assistance for Tourism Businesses

• Equity requirement of 15%.
• Any other information requested by the economic development officer during the application process.

Required Documents:

TPDMP is a two-stage application process. The first step is an application called an Expression of Interest (EOI). After the EOIs are reviewed, applicants with approved applications will be invited to submit a full proposal with more details about the proposed project.

How to Apply:

This program is currently accepting applications. Complete an expression of interest and contact your local regional office.