The pandemic significantly impacted the Canadian tourism industry, and the government continues to help tourism businesses recover and position the industry for strong future growth.
According to a release, on Friday, Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, announced an investment of CA$341,804 through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to support Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in Atlantic Canada.
This will enable the CGLCC to deliver an LGBT+ Tourism Market Readiness Program. Inclusion education and market information sessions, destination audits, business accreditations, and other resources will be offered to prepare tourism operators across Atlantic Canada to serve the LGBT+ travel market better.
The initiative will make the region more welcoming for everyone and create an inclusive and prosperous tourism sector.
Launched in July 2021, the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) was established to help organizations and businesses in the tourism industry to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, offer innovative products and services to visitors and prepare to welcome back travelers.
The TRF is managed through Canada’s regional development authorities (RDAs) and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is a national non-profit organization that brings together LGBT+-owned and operated businesses and advocates on their behalf to build a more diverse and inclusive business community.
Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBT+-owned businesses that generate over CA$22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians.
“Canada is already one of the most welcoming countries in the world for LGBT+ travelers, and Atlantic Canada is well positioned to establish itself as a world-class destination for this important market. We are investing in inclusion and market readiness programs that will help businesses remove barriers and provide unforgettable travel experiences for all visitors to our region. When our tourism industry grows, our economy thrives,” said Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown.