Destination Development Fund

Who can apply

1. Ottawa-based not-for-profit organizations and for-profit businesses in the tourism space
2. Collaborative tourism development initiatives that align with the following strategic objectives, and that can demonstrate long term benefits to Ottawa and the surrounding region: Create a new, innovative destination offering, which will result in increased overnight visitation and positive word-of-mouth; Develop the destination by creating new experiences that will be recurring, permanent and/or make a momentous impact on conversations about Ottawa in key markets whether through social media or word-of-mouth; Create and enhance tourism offerings to build greater visitor experiences; Create opportunities to build tourism sector capacity, engagement, collaboration and investment; Demonstrate sustainable, accessible and inclusive initiatives; and Demonstrate long-term benefits to Ottawa and the surrounding region
3. Eligible applicants must belong to one of the following groups: Ottawa Tourism member • Indigenous businesses • Municipalities; National and/or provincial industry sector associations; Registered for-profit businesses; Incorporated not-for-profit organizations; BIA’s and District Authorities
4. Ad hoc groups and for-profit or not-for-profit organizations that are not incorporated must find a qualified applicant to act as the proponent of the project
5. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate financial and administrative stability, and be in good standing with Ottawa Tourism members, stakeholders, industry partners and MAT collecting accommodation properties
6. All DDF Projects must fall within one or more of the wards within the City of Ottawa to be considered eligible for the Destination Development fund
7. Applicants must demonstrate that all remaining funds necessary to execute the project have been secured through other sources
8. Projects supported through the Destination Development Fund are not eligible to receive financial support from any other Ottawa Tourism funding programs for the same initiative
9. Ottawa Tourism will consider only one application per project annually for the Destination Development Fund program
10. Ottawa Tourism will consider a maximum of two applications per organization per year for the Destination Development Fund program
11. To be eligible for funding consideration, applications must achieve a minimum overall score of 70%
12. Only upon written confirmation by Ottawa Tourism will the applicant be advised to proceed with Phase 1
13. Ottawa Tourism Membership *Mandatory for DDF Funding
14. Tourism project feasibility studies: The study must be in support of a tourism project that has the capacity to generate economic benefits for several partners within the geographic boundaries of Ottawa, and must be conducted by a professional consultant or firm specializing in tourism and/or economics via a competitive tender process
15. Creation/expansion of festivals and events: To be eligible for funding, projects in this category must be accessible to the general public, will generate significant overnight visitor attendance, and animate the destination
16. Creation/expansion of festivals and events: Established festivals or events must demonstrate that the proposed project would add a significant new/innovative dimension to its current offering thereby attracting new audiences, through special new programming or other elements that were not part of their prior-year programming
17. Creation/expansion of festivals and events: Festivals and Events are required to apply during designated intake periods

Who can't apply

• Project applicants with an accumulated deficit greater than 25% of total revenue or an accumulated surplus (not including capital assets) greater than 100% of total revenue
• Political parties
• Organizations whose activities are deemed to come under the jurisdiction of other levels, divisions, departments or agencies of government (e.g. school boards, social services, hospitals, etc.)
• Applicants outside of the municipality of Ottawa
• Projects in progress or already completed at the time of application
• Projects solely focused on standard restaurant or retail operations are ineligible (e.g., opening or expanding patios for existing restaurants, opening new restaurants or retail stores, or renovating existing restaurants or retail spaces), unless the project is primarily designed to deliver a distinct tourism or culinary experience that directly aligns with one or more of the Priority Areas for destination development
• Visitor centres and signage
• Stand-alone mobile applications (Apps)
• Training materials development
• Capital purchases and investments, including land, routine site maintenance, buildings, operating equipment, fixtures, etc
• Competitions and contests
• Conferences, workshops and other forms of training
• Fundraising projects and initiatives
• Parades
• Production and distribution of films, recordings, books, magazines or other products in multiple copies
• Small-scale neighborhood-oriented festivals and events
• Sports and recreation tournaments
• Trade shows and trade fairs