Destination Development Fund

Apply for the Destination Development Fund

If you have an idea that can attract visitors to Ottawa, and you require funding assistance to get your project off the ground, you can apply for the Destination Development Fund.

Ottawa Tourism is committed to investing in strategies to improve Ottawa as a destination for visitors with strategic, project-based funding.

The Destination Development Fund assists Ottawa-based not-for-profit organizations and for-profit businesses in the tourism space. With the goal of developing quality tourism products that stimulate demand for the destination, this will stimulate increased tourism and expenditure, and encourage private sector tourism investment in Ottawa. To date, 85% of tourism products funded are still active in the destination.

This application-based program is designed to encourage and support collaborative tourism development initiatives that align with the following strategic objectives, and that can demonstrate long term benefits to Ottawa and the surrounding region:

• Create a new, innovative destination offering, which will result in increased overnight visitation and positive word-of-mouth;
• Develop the destination by creating new experiences that will be recurring, permanent and/or make a momentous impact on conversations about Ottawa in key markets whether through social media or word-of-mouth;
• Create and enhance tourism offerings to build greater visitor experiences;
• Create opportunities to build tourism sector capacity, engagement, collaboration and investment;
• Demonstrate sustainable, accessible and inclusive initiatives; and
• Demonstrate long-term benefits to Ottawa and the surrounding region

For more information on the program’s priority areas and application process, read through the Destination Development Fund Applicant Guide (.pdf) and the Application form (.pdf). For those ready to apply, please reach out to discuss your project.