Provincial government announces $35 million to help tourism, event operators

Tourism operators in Saskatchewan struggling to make ends meet can apply for some financial relief soon.

Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison and Tourism Minister Gene Makowsky announced $35 million in one-time, non-repayable funding Monday, including $5 million that will go towards marketing operations.

The money will come from the Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program.

The rest of the money will be for the accommodation sector and large-event facilities, along with attraction and tour operators.

Operators in the accommodation sector and large-event facilities, depending on their size, can apply for anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. The rest may apply for payments ranging from $7,500 to $15,000.

Harrison says since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Saskatchewan in early March, the tourism sector has taken a huge hit.

“There were nearly 12 million visits to and within Saskatchewan in 2019, with visitor expenditures totalling over $2 billion. Estimates indicate Saskatchewan’s tourism industry could see a decline of at least $730 million in visitor spending this year,” he said.

Harrison says it could take up to two years for the tourism industry in this province to recover, and he was critical of what he called a lack of federal support for tourism in Western Canada.

“We would have been happy to work with them on providing support to our tourism sector here in Saskatchewan,” Harrison said. “That, unfortunately, hasn’t happened and that’s why our government has stepped in and established this important program.”

Jim Bence, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association, welcomed the news and hoped the money would help at least some businesses hang on through the pandemic.

That includes businesses like Saskatoon’s German Cultural Centre, whose operators announced through social media on Sunday that the doors would permanently close at the end of the month.

“I think this is exactly why it was designed — for those reasons. The days are full of operators and members phoning and talking about the challenges,” Bence said. “And in cases like this, this could be just the thing …

“It’s not a fix-all. There are still so many challenges that face us. But this is that opportunity now to apply for this funding and then get them towards the finish line.”

Tourism-related operators can start applying for the money on Aug. 24 and can do so until Oct. 1.

Harrison says if approved, the money should be in the pockets of those operators within days.

“We were able to, in the small business program, open applications and turn money around literally within two days,” he said. “And we’re going to be using the same delivery mechanism and unit within government that we used for the small business payment for this program.”

Bence is optimistic the money will make a difference.

“This is hopefulness,” he said.