Laurent Robillard-Cardinal
Outaouais Tourism announced in mid-June the results of the Outaouais Region Tourism Development Program (ORTDP), an initiative of the Regional Tourism Partnership Agreement (RTPA). The agreement was renewed in 2012 for a second three-year term.
Laurent Robillard-Cardinal
Outaouais Tourism announced in mid-June the results of the Outaouais Region Tourism Development Program (ORTDP), an initiative of the Regional Tourism Partnership Agreement (RTPA). The agreement was renewed in 2012 for a second three-year term.
During the project’s second term (2012–15), $1.5 million in non-repayable grants were awarded to 39 regional projects: 20 in Gatineau, 15 distributed among the region’s four MRCs, and four covering the entire region.
The entrepreneur who obtained the largest contribution was Oméga Park. The Montebello attraction received $300,000 for improvements to infrastructure and visitor experience. The committee, composed of members from Tourisme Québec, MCC, CREO and Outaouais Tourism, also awarded a $200,000 grant to Outaouais Tourism to implement signage for the Outaouais Waterways regional tourist route. Outaouais Tourism also received $145,000 for regional structuring of cycling and cross-country skiing products. Those were the three biggest grants awarded under the 5th and 6th calls for
proposals and Outaouais Tourism received the largest amount.
Outaouais Tourism estimates for every dollar invested $9 will be
generated in spin-off
benefits for a potential total value of more than
$14.5 million.
New funding
All these projects were funded through a now-expired agreement, but
in mid-June, Outaouais Tourism unveiled a new non-repayable funding envelope of $245,000 called the 2015–2016 Outaouais Region Tourism Development Fund (ORTDF).
“In anticipation of the renewal of the Regional Tourism Partnership Agreement (RTPA), we set aside $245,000 from the lodging tax,” explained Mr. Normand, acting general manager of Outaouais Tourism. The funds are intended to
support projects linked to the priorities identified
in the Outaouais Region Strategic Tourism
Development and Marketing Plan
2014–2020.
The call for tenders is open until January 18, 2016. Promoters interested in applying for project funding with the ORTDF should consult the Promoter’s Guide available on the Outaouais Tourism website. A committee will be struck to review and assess all
proposals.
