The Government of Saskatchewan has announced $35 million in support for Saskatchewan鈥檚 hard-hit tourism sector.聽Under the Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program, eligible hospitality and event/attraction operators will be able to apply for a one-time, non-repayable emergency payment.
For the accommodation sector and large event facilities, payments will range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on sales revenue.聽For attraction, tour or event operators with ongoing fixed costs, payments will range from $7,500 to $15,000.
Of the $35 million, $5 million will be used to support marketing and increasing the demand for Saskatchewan tourism experiences.
鈥淪askatchewan鈥檚 tourism industry is critically important to our quality of life and attractiveness as a destination for investment,鈥� Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a release Monday.聽 鈥淭he Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that the sector鈥檚 recovery will take time. This support will provide some immediate relief for accommodation properties, major event facilities and attractions, and will also focus on increasing demand, which will be essential to long-term recovery.鈥�
Randy Goulden, Executive Director of Tourism Yorkton, said the sector remains an important one to the city and surrounding area, although the pandemic has hurt.
鈥淭ourism in Yorkton is an important economic driver, $38.1m until the industry had been devastated due to COVID-19,鈥� she told Yorkton This Week, adding much of what draws tourists has been impacted. 鈥淵orkton is a hub for meetings, sporting, recreation and culture events; bringing people and business into our city,鈥� and many of those have been cancelled in 2020.
So, help in the face of the pandemic is welcomed.
鈥淭he Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program will provide much needed financial support to year round and seasonal tourism businesses devastated by the closure and cancellation of events,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e look forward to the tourism industry impacted by COVID-19 receiving support for their businesses.鈥�
Tourism in Saskatchewan, Canada and around the world has been brought to a standstill because of unprecedented measures taken to contain the virus.聽There were nearly 12 million visits to and within Saskatchewan in 2019, with visitor expenditures totalling $2.2 billion.聽Estimates indicate Saskatchewan鈥檚 tourism industry could see a decline of at least $730 million in visitor spending in 2020-21.聽It may take two or more years for the industry to recover.
鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic delivered a devastating blow to our province鈥檚 tourism sector,鈥� Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Gene Makowsky said in the provincial release.聽鈥淭he new Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program will provide critically needed support to accommodations, venues, attractions and tourism businesses.聽The $35 million investment will stimulate the sector鈥檚 recovery, build resiliency and help tourism operators continue to deliver remarkable Saskatchewan experiences.鈥�
鈥淲e are all painfully aware of the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality sector,鈥� Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association President and CEO Jim Bence said.聽鈥淲ith severe reductions in revenues, organizations will be under extreme pressure to find ways to manage their fixed costs and expenses in 2020.聽 We are very pleased with this significant investment in our industry by the government and we much appreciate their continued support and willingness to collaborate with us during this crisis.鈥�
Applications will be accepted starting 2 p.m. on August 24, 2020.聽Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2020.聽聽
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