Local women-led tourism businesses receive federal grants

Five women-led businesses in the Kingston area were recognized with grants from the Tourism Relief Fund on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. The grants are part of an investment of over $2.7 million spread across 14 women-led tourism businesses in Ontario.

According to a release from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Government of Canada is “committed to helping women entrepreneurs in the hard-hit tourism sector grow and flourish so they can become important contributors to a strong economy.”

The Tourism Relief Fund grants are intended to help women-led tourism businesses develop unique experiences and enhance their offerings to attract visitors and strengthen their communities. The five local businesses that received the grants are:

• KPP Concerts (Kingston) — $25,800 to create in-person music concerts at various venues throughout downtown Kingston.
• Maple Leaf Tours Inc. (Kingston) — $100,000 to develop and launch an Indigenous-focused Residential School tour, including educational and interpretive elements.
• Moonlight on the Bay (Tyendinaga) — $100,000 to create a visitor experience on the Tyendinaga First Nation, through the addition of overnight accommodations and development of Indigenous tourism offerings.
• The June Motel (Picton) — $91,500 to expand the outdoor lobby space with fireplaces and furnishings and create a winter activities program.
• Topsy Farms (Amherst Island) — $7,500 to enhance the visitor’s experience through the development of a self-guided smartphone application for the farm in Stella.

“The Government of Canada is investing in the potential of women-led businesses so they can grow, thrive and create good jobs,” said The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “With investments through the Tourism Relief Fund, FedDev Ontario is providing women-led tourism operators… with support to attract visitors, which will lead to more local business and an economy that works for everyone.”

With Women’s Entrepreneurship Day taking place on November 19, this investment highlights the Government of Canada’s continued support for women entrepreneurs, and commitment to making investments to help women-led businesses grow and succeed, FedDev Ontario stated. For more information about the women-led tourism projects receiving support, visit the government website.