The Honourable Valerie Docherty, Minister of Tourism, is pleased to announce the restructuring of Tourism PEI funding programs for the 2009 season. The three newly restructured funding programs that will be available at Tourism PEI include the Regional Foundation Fund, the Regional Product Development Fund and the Tourism Innovation Fund. The Department will continue to offer the Tourism Festivals and Events Assistance Program, the PEI Acadian and Francophone Tourism Development Program, Tourism Meetings and Conferences Hosting Grant Program, the Tourism Website French Translation Program and the Reunion Program.

“Regional Tourism Associations are recognized as priority partners with Tourism PEI,” said Minister Docherty. “Tourism PEI has designed these specific programs to recognize and support Regional Tourism Associations and their efforts to grow tourism in their respective areas. These programs are part of our strategy and define a new, more concentrated approach towards our commitment to building partnerships that result in focussed investments for tourism growth.”

The Regional Foundation Program is designed to enhance the capacity of Regional Tourism Associations across the province. It provides support to regional tourism associations for operation of destination centres, organizational planning and revenue generation.

The Regional Product Development Fund is designed specifically for Regional Tourism Associations to provide support for product development to grow tourism in their area.

The two Regional funding programs have a January 15 deadline to allow regions more time to plan, develop and market their product in time to launch for the tourism season.

The Tourism Innovation Fund assists non-profit and sector organizations in the research, development and product launch of new PEI tourism products that are directly related to the development of products identified in Tourism’s strategy. i.e. culinary, culture and festivals. The deadline for applications to this program will be March 1, 2009.

The Community Festivals and Events Fund is offered to well-organized and widely-marketed annual festivals and events. The festival or event must clearly and specifically target off-Island participants and spectators. It must have a broader appeal than just Island residents and participants. The Festival/Event should reflect a quality PEI cultural experience and be environmentally sensitive. The deadline for applications to this program will be March 1, 2009.

Prince Edward Island Acadian and Francophone Tourism Development Program is a financial assistance program for the development of Acadian and Francophone tourism products on PEI. The implementation of the program is made possible through the Canada PEI Agreement on French Language Services. Deadline for applications to this program is March 1, 2009. The Meetings and Conferences Hosting Grant Program provides support to non-profit organizations hosting regional, national or international conferences and events with more than 100 registered delegates.

Tourism Website French Translation provides support for up to 75 percent of cost of the translation of tourism websites into French, to a maximum of $750.00.

The Reunion Program is designed to encourage Islanders to plan and hold reunions on Prince Edward Island. In order to qualify, reunions must be hosted on Prince Edward Island. A minimum of fifty total attendance is required.

Applications are available at Tourism PEI. To be eligible for each program, applicants must meet specific program criteria. For more information about any of Tourism PEI’s programs, please contact Janet Wood, Manager, Product Development, 902-368-5508, jewood@gov.pe.ca.

BACKGROUNDER

TOURISM PEI FUNDING/PROGRAMS

To enhance the effectiveness of tourism investments and to increase the focus on research-defined priorities for growing tourism, changes are being introduced to our funding programs for 2009/2010.

NEW PROGRAMS

1. Regional Foundation Program:

The Regional Foundation Program has been designed to enhance the capacity of Regional Tourism Associations across the province. It provides support to regional tourism associations for operation of destination centres, organizational planning, and revenue generation. The deadline for applications to this program will be January 15, 2009.

2. Regional Product Development Fund:

The Regional Product Development Fund has been designed specifically for Regional Tourism Associations to provide support for product development to grow tourism in their area. The deadline for applications to this program will be January 15, 2009.

3. Tourism Innovation Fund:

The Tourism Innovation Fund assists non-profit and sector organizations in the development of tourism products that are directly related to the development of products identified in Tourism’s strategy. i.e. Anne, golf, culinary, culture, and festivals. The deadline for applications to this program will be March 1, 2009.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS

4. Community Festivals and Events Fund:

Developmental assistance is offered to well-organized and widely marketed annual festivals and events, which have made a commitment to quality. The festival or event must clearly and specifically target off-Island participants and spectators. It must have a broader appeal than just Island residents and participants. The festival or event should provide visitors to Prince Edward Island with opportunities to experience the Island’s hospitality, heritage, culture, culinary and natural beauty. The deadline for applications to this program will be March 1, 2009.

5. Prince Edward Island Acadian and Francophone Tourism Development Program:

The implementation of this financial assistance program, for the development of Acadian and Francophone tourism products on PEI, is made possible through the Canada PEI Agreement on French Language Services. Deadline for applications to this program is March 1, 2009.

The Department will provide financial assistance to non-profit community groups to plan, organize, promote and hold festivals and tourism experiences. Existing festivals may request assistance for advertising as well as for the development of new products and experiences.

6. Meetings and Conferences Hosting Grant Program:

This program provides support to non-profit organizations hosting regional, national or international conferences and events with more than 100 registered delegates. This is an open program and available funds are dispensed on a first come first served basis commencing April 1, 2009.

7. Tourism Website French Translation:

This service provides support for up to 75% of cost of the translation of tourism websites into French, to a maximum of $750.00. Operators must provide a minimum of “some french services” to visitors.

8. Reunion Program:

The Reunion Assistance Program is an initiative of Tourism PEI designed to encourage Islanders to plan and hold reunions on Prince Edward Island. In order to qualify, reunions must be hosted on Prince Edward Island with a minimum of fifty out-of-province guests. The program provides literature and mailing support.

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

• Development projects shall be accompanied by a detailed plan of action on the measures to be taken and an evaluation plan.

• The contribution of the applicant, other government agencies and community partners will be taken into consideration by the program management committee.

• Priorities will be those projects that are research based, focusing on the product priorities of industry and government, and indicate the highest possible return on investment.

• The design of the event to build incrementally and grow revenue streams outside of government to move to self sustainability is critical to any business plan.

• Financial support from this program cannot exceed 60% of the total project costs.

• A final report which will include a financial statement and activity report must be submitted in support of all claims.

• Grants are dispensed 60% upon approval and the remaining 40% upon receipt of all final financial and activity statements.

INFORMATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For further information, please contact Janet Wood at Tourism PEI at 902-368-5508, jewood@gov.pe.ca.

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