Product Development Fund

• Assets and infrastructure: Construction of tourism infrastructure or purchase of assets that support the creation of a new visitor product or experience.
• Enhancements: Improve existing tourism products and experiences to attract more visitors and increase visitor spend.
• Sustainability: Support eco-friendly initiatives as part of a new product or experience.
• Equipment lease or purchase costs: Lease or buy equipment that offers new visitor activities not currently available or enhances the existing offerings and visitor experience.
• Specialized equipment for a diverse market: Invest in specialized equipment that enables your organization to provide new tourism experiences to a broader range of people, including those with different physical abilities.
• Seasonal temporary or movable structures: Improve visitor comfort and enhance their experience by setting up temporary structures that can be moved around during different seasons.
• Developing interpretive programs: Development of interpretive programs that enhance or create new tourism experiences.
• Content development: Create engaging content through photography, videos, and written materials (must provide a shot list with your application). Our content studio may review and determine the scope of the project.
• Promotional support: Website development and online sales platforms.

• Routine upgrades, maintenance or adhering to regulations for existing facilities
• Purchasing or leasing land
• Construction-related machinery or equipment
• Licensed motorized vehicles
• Costs associated with replacing, repairing, or upgrading equipment
• Office furnishings, decorations or equipment such as computers, copiers and phones
• Highway, business, or community signage
• Construction, expansion, or enhancements of community recreation facilities
• Standalone bathroom construction or renovation
• Conference and event centres
• Campground upgrades or expansions to add sites, services, or additional buildings like washrooms
• Ongoing operating costs including administration, staff salaries, administrative expenses, and maintenance
• Legal, insurance, audit, or banking interest fees
• Costs related to working capital, debt service, operating losses, capital losses, or capital redemption
• Road construction, such as paved or gravel access roads
• Consultants or contractors for grant administration
• GST/HST
• Costs related to the delivery of religious or spiritual ceremonies, rituals, or experiences, including but not limited to Sweat Lodges, Sun Dances, and similar ceremonies.

Note: Travel Alberta has the right to determine what expenses are deemed eligible and ineligible, even if they are not listed here.

• A business plan for your company is required as part of the full application. The business plan should demonstrate the organization's long term plan and how this project fits into the organization’s vision.
• Must provide financial statements, including an income statement and balance sheet.
• You must be shovel-ready to apply.
• Project expenses should be incurred between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028.
• Expenses will need to be invoiced by a qualified third party and documented in the financial reconciliation.
• Copies of all supporting documentation should be provided, including but not limited to:
  • Business plan.
  • Legal description of the property and copy of the registered title or lease agreement number.
  • Business/operating license.
  • General Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage amount of $2 million per occurence.
  • If the project is on land leased from the crown – a letter from a representative of the appropriate government authority indicating the proposed project is permitted under the lease agreement and you are in good standing.
  • Tourism and commercial recreation lease (highlight and brief description).
  • Municipal land use bylaw requirements met.
  • Development/recreation permits obtained.
  • Copies of property plans and development dimensions.
  • Construction schedule with associated budget timeline.
• You must contribute a minimum of 25% of the total project cost. The amount of funding contributed by Travel Alberta will be assessed based on the nature of your project.
  • This means, if your total project costs are $500,000, you need to contribute at least $125,000 (25%) and Travel Alberta may provide up to a maximum of $375,000 (75%). Depending on the project and the how much funding is available, Travel Alberta may ask that you contribute up to $250,000 (50%) and Travel Alberta may provide up to a maximum of $250,000 (50%).

Note: We assess the ratio of private to public investment to determine the success of our programs. For every $1 of support provided by Travel Alberta, we aim to drive a minimum of $5 in private sector investment. We factor this into our decision making when evaluating funding applications.

Travel Alberta is committed to ensure investments provide the best return for Albertans. To do this, we look for the following:

• Complete business plans that:
  • demonstrate experience of the management team,
  • consider short and long-term growth,
  • can be realistically carried out within the time frame required, and
  • are financially viable and sustainable.
• Projects are evaluated based on their alignment with Travel Alberta’s investment priorities, its ability to generate revenue, create jobs, improve visitation, and whether they fill a gap in the local tourism supply.
• Travel Alberta may assess other sources of public sector funding the project is receiving.
• Review how often the organization has received funding, how much they received, timeliness of reporting, and the reported results of each project. 
• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and investment ratio for each project.

• Project Gross Domestic Product.
• Investment ratio.
• Revenue generated.
• Jobs created.
• Visits (domestic and international).
• Private sector investment. For every $1 of support provided by Travel Alberta, we aim to drive a minimum of $5 in private sector investment.

• Expression of Interest (EOI) for funding: To be considered for funding, you must first complete an EOI which will be reviewed and evaluated against eligibility criteria and strategic priorities.
• EOI submission period: EOIs open in Fall 2026. EOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Late submission will not be considered.
• How to apply: When intake is open, the EOI link will be available on our website under Product Development Fund. When you click on the application link, you will be redirected to our Grant Management Tool (GMT) to log in and complete.
• Successful applicants receive full application: If your EOI meets the requirements, you will be invited to complete a full application. You will receive a link directly from GMT.
• No guarantees with the application link: Just because you are invited to submit a full application, it does not guarantee funding. If you have any questions about this process, reach out to tourisminvestment@travelalberta.com.
• Criteria for projects: Your development project must be "shovel ready," which means you already have all the necessary approvals, permits, and financing in place and construction can begin right away.
• Travel Alberta's authority: Travel Alberta has the final say in managing funding requests. All investment programs are highly competitive, and Travel Alberta reserves the right to say no to projects based on not meeting certain eligibility requirements or based on competition of funds.
• Funding approval process and timing: The investment decisions for the 2027/2028 fiscal year intake period will be made in Spring 2027. If Travel Alberta approves your funding request, you will be notified prior to receiving a Travel Alberta funding agreement.
• Receiving the funds: Once everything has been finalized and the agreement has been executed by both parties, the funding will be deposited directly in your bank account through an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Please take your time to prepare your application and make sure you meet all the requirements.