The Government of Saskatchewan has announced $35 million in support for Saskatchewan’s hard-hit tourism sector. 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. 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.
“Saskatchewan’s tourism industry is critically important to our quality of life and attractiveness as a destination for investment,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a release Monday. “The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that the sector’s 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.”
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.
“Tourism in Yorkton is an important economic driver, $38.1m until the industry had been devastated due to COVID-19,” she told Yorkton This Week, adding much of what draws tourists has been impacted. “Yorkton is a hub for meetings, sporting, recreation and culture events; bringing people and business into our city,” and many of those have been cancelled in 2020.
So, help in the face of the pandemic is welcomed.
“The 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,” she said. “We look forward to the tourism industry impacted by COVID-19 receiving support for their businesses.”
Tourism in Saskatchewan, Canada and around the world has been brought to a standstill because of unprecedented measures taken to contain the virus. There were nearly 12 million visits to and within Saskatchewan in 2019, with visitor expenditures totalling $2.2 billion. Estimates indicate Saskatchewan’s tourism industry could see a decline of at least $730 million in visitor spending in 2020-21. It may take two or more years for the industry to recover.
“The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a devastating blow to our province’s tourism sector,” Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Gene Makowsky said in the provincial release. “The new Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program will provide critically needed support to accommodations, venues, attractions and tourism businesses. The $35 million investment will stimulate the sector’s recovery, build resiliency and help tourism operators continue to deliver remarkable Saskatchewan experiences.”
“We are all painfully aware of the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality sector,” Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association President and CEO Jim Bence said. “With severe reductions in revenues, organizations will be under extreme pressure to find ways to manage their fixed costs and expenses in 2020. 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.”
Applications will be accepted starting 2 p.m. on August 24, 2020. Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2020.
For more information, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/tourism-sector-support
