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Tourism and Hospitality operators
are competing for talent.
Attracting and retaining skilled workers will be critical to your success. Does your business have
the data, training and labour market intelligence it needs to compete?
OTEC and our partners have tools and resources to help operators like you recruit and develop new talent.
FREE Training to Support Your Team
We’ve developed FREE self-guided training to help your team sharpen their
skills and take your service offering to the next level.
Ready for free training? Share this link with your team to access self-guided training.
There is no charge. All they need to do is register!
Business Resources
New Report
May 2022 The Impacts of COVID-19 on theTourism Workforce in Canada
As demand for tourism services and products increases and international travelers return, rebuilding a robust workforce is a key priority for the sector. This report provides an overview of research conducted by OTEC and THRC on the impact of the pandemic on the tourism and hospitality workforce. It identifies policy recommendations to help you mitigate the negative impacts of tourism labour force shortages as the sector recovers.
Report
March 2022 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
In March 2022, the size of the Canadian labour force continued to increase. Despite of that, compared to March 2019, the tourism labour force was 10.1% smaller. While employment in recreation and entertainment returned to March 2019 levels, employment in accommodations and travel services remained far below pre-pandemic levels.
Report
February 2022 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
Tourism employment remained suppressed in February 2022 as the Canadian economy recovered. While total employment in Canada bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, employment in key tourism industries such as accommodations and travel services remains well below 2019 precedents.
Report
January 2022 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
Compared to January 2019, tourism employment remained down 21.9%, following a sharp decline in tourism employment from December to January due to the Omicron variant. After months of increase in tourism employment since April 2021, as of January 2022, tourism employment dropped back to the March 2021 levels.
Report
December 2021 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
This report provides an overview of the labour market impacts of the pandemic on tourism and hospitality workers. Compared to December 2019, total seasonally unadjusted employment in Canada was up 1.5%, however, tourism employment remains down 16.1%, following a small increase in tourism employment from November to December.
Report
November 2021 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
This snapshot of the labour market impacts of the pandemic on tourism and hospitality workers shows a small increase in tourism employment from October to November 2021. Overall, total seasonally unadjusted tourism employment remains down 14.9% compared to November 2019.
Report
October 2021 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
This report provides a snapshot of the labour market impacts of the pandemic on tourism and hospitality workers in October 2021. While total employment in Canada has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, employment within the tourism sector remains significantly suppressed.
Resources
TIAC: Elevating Canadian Experience
Explore content ranging from strategy development to practical tools and tips – all designed to help grow and adapt your tourism business as an operator and build tourism capacity in your region as a destination partner.
Report
May 2021 Labour Force Survey Summary Report
This report provides a snapshot of key findings from the research conducted between March 2020 and March 2021 on the labour market impacts of the pandemic on tourism and hospitality workers. It also provides lessons to consider as the sector moves into the recovery stage.
Report
March 2021 Labour Force Survey Report
Tourism and hospitality has seen a larger improvement since February in terms of unemployment than the rest of the economy. Tourism and hospitality employed 76% as many people in February 2021 compared to one year before, and this has risen to 82% in March 2021 compared to March 2019.
Report
February 2021 Labour Force Survey
Tourism and hospitality has seen a larger improvement since January in terms of unemployment than the rest of the economy. The number of people working in the tourism and hospitality industry increased but remains below the number of jobs in the industry one year ago.
Report
January 2021 Labour Force Survey
Tourism and hospitality has seen a larger deterioration since December in terms of unemployment compared to the rest of the economy. Tourism and hospitality employed 79% as many people in December 2020 compared to one year before, and this has fallen to 68% in January 2021.
News
THER Launch Announcement
The Future Skills Centre is reinvesting to scale Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Recovery nationally.
Funding and programs are available
to support your business recovery.
Cooperative Investment Program
Supports tourism businesses' partnerships through marketing and assists in developing new or enhanced experiences based on the on travel environment and health restrictions in place. The priority of the funding is the diversification and/or sustainability of small tourism businesses and organizations.
Region: Alberta
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
Funds small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits that COVID-19 has impacted by a revenue reduction of 30% to offset a portion of their costs. The funding can be used as seen fit to help with new public health measures or their relaunch costs.
Region: Alberta
Capital Investment Program
Aims to accelerate the completion of existing tourism development initiatives and develop destination-based assets. The Government will provide further information in the coming weeks.
Region: Alberta
StrongerBC Economic Recovery Plan
Provides over $70 million in tourism relief and economic recovery to assist municipalities in building, adapting and diversifying their tourism infrastructure.
Region: British Columbia
Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant
Runs until August 31, 2021, or until funds are expended. Eligible applicants are businesses with a 30% revenue loss can apply by developing a recovery plan, and accepted businesses will receive a grant to fund their projects.
Region: British Columbia
Additional Investment
Provides an additional $20 million for community destination development grants to help communities prepare for future visitors through tourism.
Region: British Columbia
BC Major Anchor Attraction Program
Offers one-time grants of up to $1 million to eligible tourism attractions and tour bus companies.
Region: British Columbia
Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant
Provides funding to businesses affected by provincial health orders to assist with expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance, utilities or unexpected costs. The grant is open to businesses of all sizes that have been in operation since February 1, 2021.
Region: British Columbia
AmplifyBC
Comprises investments of $22.5 million to support BC's music industry and $35 million to support arts and culture organizations supplement the program. This program is a targeted recovery fund.
Region: British Columbia
Arts Infrastructure Program
Enables eligible organizations to develop and enhance spaces that support BC's arts and culture practitioners. Program funding will carry out projects in two categories: capital improvements and specialized equipment acquisition.
Region: British Columbia
BuyBC
Promotes a wide range of agriculture, food and beverage products to support BC farmers, producers and the local economy.
Region: British Columbia
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to eligible (hard hit economically) small businesses and not-for-profits.
Region: Federal
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): Businesses within the Community Futures network
Provides loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19, and in some cases, are not eligible for federal funding programs. The program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for small- and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises in rural communities. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, social enterprises and similar organizations may qualify.
Region: Federal
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): Businesses outside of the Community Futures network
Provides loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19, and in some cases, are not eligible for federal funding programs. The program offers interest-free loans up to $60,000; sole proprietorships and not-for-profits are not eligible. Applicants who previously received RRRF funding must apply separately for the $20,000 expansion.
Region: Federal
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): Women-run businesses
Provides loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19, and in some cases, are not eligible for federal funding programs. Grants interest-free loans up to $60,000; sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations are eligible. Applicants who previously received RRRF funding must apply separately for the $20,000 expansion.
Region: Federal
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): Funding requests over $40,000
Provides loans to businesses impacted by COVID-19, and in some cases, are not eligible for federal funding programs. Offers interest-free loans up to $1 million, with no scheduled monthly repayments required until after December 31, 2022.
Region: Federal
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
Supports hardest-hit businesses in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment. The program offers government-guaranteed loans from $25,000 to $1 million, available at participating financial institutions from February 1 to June 30, 2021.
Region: Federal
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
Offers differing maximum finance amounts based on business revenues for small- and medium-sized enterprises; for mid-sized companies with more extensive financing needs, larger financing options are available. The program is open until June 2021.
Region: Federal
Large Employer Financing Facility (LEEFF)
Provides bridge financing to Canada's largest employers to keep operations running. To qualify, one must be a sizeable Canadian employer with a significant impact on the economy or workforce in Canada.
Region: Federal
Supporting Arts and Live Events Workers in response to COVID-19
Delivers $40 million in new funding to stimulate the short-term contracting of workers in the live events sector through the Support for Workers in the Live Arts and Music Sectors Fund. Funded by Heritage Canada.
Region: Federal
Funding for Culture, History and Sport
Offers supports for sectors related to culture, heritage, sport, arts and live performance sectors. For more details, visit the link.
Region: Federal
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
Partially covers commercial rent or property expenses and lockdown support available to business locations affected by public health orders for one or more weeks. Available until June 15, 2021.
Region: Federal
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Provides partial payment of employee wages, enabling businesses to keep or rehire staff. Available until June 15, 2021.
Region: Federal
Support for Indigenous Businesses
Provides interest-free loans of up to $30,000 available to small- and medium-sized Indigenous businesses. The program offers up to $10,000 in non-repayable loans.
Region: Federal
Work Sharing Program – COVID-19
Helps employers and staff avoid layoffs during a temporary disruption in business activity. It provides EI benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce hours and share available work.
Region: Federal
Manitoba Bridge Grant (Four Streams)
Provides financial assistance of up to $15,000 to eligible businesses and organizations required to close their premises due to COVID-19 fully. The fourth round of payments to qualified businesses will occur to protect them through the third wave of the pandemic.
Region: Manitoba
Dine-In Restaurant Relief Program
Provides financial relief to dine-in restaurants that have been affected financially by COVID-19 restrictions. The program is designed to give a rebate to dine-in restaurants that have had to shift operations significantly.
Region: Manitoba
Hospitality Sector Relief Program
Assists the accommodation and tourism sector; it will provide financial assistance to eligible hotels for fixed costs that other relief programs have not covered.
Region: Manitoba
The Canada-Manitoba Job Grant
Helps employers offset the costs of training new employees or expenses associated with developing their existing workers to meet job requirements or attain a promotion.
Region: Manitoba
NB Small Business Recovery Grants
Provides a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000 to help business owners offset the impacts of COVID-19.
Region: New Brunswick
Working Capital for NB small business owners
Provides small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic working capital loans up to $100,000, accessible to small businesses employing 1 to 49 people, including sole proprietors and self-employed peoples with less than $10 million in sales recent fiscal year.
Region: New Brunswick
Community Investment Fund COVID-19 Relief
Supports projects through a non-repayable contribution for small and medium-sized non-profits in the form of a grant between a minimum of $500 and up to a maximum of $10,000.
Region: New Brunswick
Deferring interest and principal payments on existing loans
As an immediate measure, on a case-by-case basis, the government will defer loan and interest repayment for up to six months on existing provincial loans.
Contact the department that issued the loan for a deferral.
Region: New Brunswick
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
Supports tourism operators or small- and medium-sized businesses or organizations impacted by sudden shifts in the economy. Eligible businesses should contact RDAs to access federal funding, advice and pathfinding services to other programs available.
Region: New Brunswick
Support for Entrpreneurs and Economic Development (SEED)
Promotes NWT's private business sector and has reallocated internal resources to prioritize funding proposals supporting local employment and community investment to support and promote economic recovery.
Region: Northwest Territories
Digital Content Marketing Program
Assists tourism businesses and organizations by creating online marketing campaigns. Participants will work with Tourism Nova Scotia to identify shared goals and determine a budget; Tourism Nova Scotia will match partner investments.
Region: Nova Scotia
Radiate Tourism Program
Provides package development and up to $5,000 in digital marketing support to assist tourism businesses and attractions increase appeal to local and Maritime travellers year-round.
Region: Nova Scotia
Tourism Digital Assistance Program
Offered in partnership with Digital Nova Scotia , this program provides eligible tourism businesses up to $5,000 in services from digital strategy and e-commerce tools.
Region: Nova Scotia
Small Business Impact Grant Part 3
Supports businesses that have been directly affected by public health measures introduced in April 2021. The program provides a one-time grant of up to $5,000 based on their sales revenue plus an additional one-time grant of $5,000.
Region: Nova Scotia
Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Aims to deliver financial assistance for start-ups and the expansion of small businesses. The program may grant loans for a term of up to ten years.
Region: Nova Scotia
Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program
Provides eligible businesses with a one-time rebate of $1,000 or 50% of property taxes paid for the last six months of the 2020-2021 tax year.
Region: Nova Scotia
Tourism Accomodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program Part 2
Provides eligible tourism accommodation operators a one-time 50% rebate on the first six months of their commercial property taxes paid for 2021-2022.
Region: Nova Scotia
Small Business Support Program
Provides small businesses, community organizations and individuals with funding to invest in new business attraction, retention, expansion and support during COVID-19. The program offers up to $5,000 in non-repayable financing to those continually affected by the pandemic.
Region: Nunavut
Strategic Investments Program
Offers assistance to businesses majority-owned by Nunavut residents; businesses can receive a contribution to cover the expansion of start-up costs.
Region: Nunavut
Community Tourism and Cultural Industries Program
Aims to strengthen community infrastructure and readiness for tourism.
Region: Nunavut
Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG)
Enables eligible small businesses to receive one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support them recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible.
Region: Ontario
Ontario Tourism Recovery Program
Assists tourism operators, anchor businesses and attractions to recover from COVID-19. This $100 million initiative will support previously successful businesses that have driven employment and visitation in their regions.
Region: Ontario
Heritage Organization Development Grant (HODG)
Provides annual operating support to historical societies, museums and other heritage associations that promote Ontario's history. To receive support, organizations must meet the required criteria in Regulation 879, "Grants to Incorporated Historical Societies and Associations," under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Region: Ontario
Ontario Amateur Sport Fund
Supports PSO/MSOs to grow athletic programming and pave the way for Ontarians to access high-quality amateur sport systems.
Region: Ontario
Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund
Provides non-capital funding to projects that support tourism in Ontario and contribute to the tourism industry's recovery. Eligible applicants include for-profit, not-for-profit and Ontario tourism associations and indigenous organizations and municipalities and destination marketing organizations, all with a tourism focus.
Region: Ontario
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
Assists not-for-profit organizations in covering the marketing and promotional costs of new attractions or special events.
Region: Ontario
Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program: Game ON – The Ontario Government’s Sport Plan
Aims to help more Ontarians excel in sport and provides funding to help applicants deliver national and international single-sport events. This program is a subsidiary of Game ON.
Region: Ontario
Supporting Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations
Supporting Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) through increased funding of up to $15 million. It will help RTOs recover regional tourism and maintain and produce new, innovative tourism services and experiences under a modernized mandate.
Region: Ontario
Standing Behind Ontario’s Arts Community
Assisting with costs incurred when preparing for cancelled programs and events for 2020-21 through an additional $10 million investment into the arts community and support from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).
Region: Ontario
Providing Financial Relief for Resource‑Based Tourism Businesses
Targeted support to resource-based tourism operators. Eligible Commercial Outpost Camps and hunting and fishing outfitters would receive another year of relief from certain rents and fees.
Region: Ontario
Investing in Sport and Community Infrastructure
Investing $200 million to provide infrastructure funding to larger strategic projects and sports facilities through the new Strategic Priorities and Infrastructure Fund.
Region: Ontario
Supporting Local Alcohol Producers
A one-time $10 million grant to help wineries and cideries impacted by lockdown to ensure agricultural production and jobs are maintained. The government is also increasing the funding for Small Distillery Support Program by an additional $1.2 million. The government has extended the funding to 2022-23 for VQA Wine Support Programs ($7.5 million); Small Cidery ($1.8 million) and Small Distillery Support Programs ($0.8 million); and Marketing, Tourism and Export Development; Performance Measurement and Research and Innovation Development Initiatives ($5.3 million).
Region: Ontario
Tourism Interest Relief Program
Assistance for island tourism operators; it requires a minimum 30% decrease in tourism revenues, or the operation had no tourism revenue.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Tourism Assistance Loan Program
Provides funding in the form of a repayable loan. Interest payments on loans approved through this program will qualify for interest relief for 18 months. Eligible applicants must be a 'for profit' entity operating in the tourism or hospitality sectors.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Tourism Activation Grant
This program provides tourism businesses with a non-repayable financial contribution toward eligible expenses to assist with capital and/or maintenance costs for the 2021 season. The program will assist in amounts ranging from $2,500 5o $50,000.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Operational Support Program for Community Museums and Cultural Venues
Provides support for ongoing operating expenses and reduction in revenues due to COVID-19. It will provide funding up to a maximum of $2,500.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Explore Quebec
Facilitates tourism in Quebec's most remote regions by fostering package deals. The program consists of financial support for travel agencies, tour operators, and incoming agencies to create and sell attractive packages at reduced rates.
Region: Quebec
Support Program for the Development of Tourist Attractions (PADAT)
Phase one aims to stimulate growth in the tourism sector by creating jobs and increasing visitors. Phase two focuses on the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism industry through infrastructure improvement to comply with public health measures.
Region: Quebec
Financial Assistance (Tourism)
This link outlines all financial assistance in the tourism industry (not directly related to COVID response).
Region: Prince Edward Island
Financial Assistance (Culture)
This link outlines all financial assistance in the culture industry (not directly related to COVID response).
Region: Prince Edward Island
Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS)
Employer-driven short-term training program that provides eligible employers with financial support to train employees.
Region: Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program No. 2 (SSBEP 2)
Provides financial assistance for eligible small businesses ordered to temporarily close or substantially curtail operations due to a public health order in effect.
Region: Saskatchewan
Business Response Team
This program works directly with businesses to identify and apply for federal and provincial support programs.
Region: Saskatchewan
Diversification and New Market Program
Funding of up to $30,000 per application and requires a minimum equity investment by the applicant of 30% of the total project budget.
Region: Saskatchewan
Community Experience Cluster Program
This program supports the development of new clusters of tourism experiences. Maximum funding per application of $20,000; partnership required.
Region: Saskatchewan
Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund
This program is for applicants who live in Yukon and want to promote their tourism product or experience; they can apply for funds to create marketing to attract Yukoners.
Region: Yukon
Yukon Business Relief Program (YBRP)
Open to Yukon businesses operating at a monthly deficit due to the pandemic. Eligible businesses may receive up to $30,000 per month and up to $60,000 during this period.
Region: Yukon
Tourism Accomodations Sector Supplement (TASS)
Provides tourism-dependent businesses still operating at a loss after receiving YBRP further support from TASS or TNASS up to the point of breaking even. Only one application if required for YBRP, TASS, TNASS.
Region: Yukon
Tourism Non-Accomodations Sector Supplement (TASS)
Provides tourism-dependent businesses still operating at a loss after receiving YBRP further support from TASS or TNASS up to the point of breaking even. Only one application if required for YBRP, TASS, TNASS.
Region: Yukon
Tourism Relief and Recovery Plan
This link highlights Yukon's extensive tourism recovery and relief plan.
Region: Yukon