Advocacy Win – Tourism Accommodation Sector Supplement

Advocacy Win - Today, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) Caroline Wawzonek announced two new support programs for licensed tourism operators and licensed accommodation providers across the Northwest Territories (NWT). The two programs, the Pandemic Relief Extension Program (PREP) for tourism operators, and the Supplement for Tourism Accommodation Relief (STAR) Program for accommodation providers who meet the criteria, were developed to support two of the hardest-hit sectors impacted by the pandemic.
PREP will assist licensed tourism operators with eligible fixed costs within the NWT at a minimum of $2,500 (to a maximum of $100,000). Home-based tourism businesses will be also able to access this relief funding.
With licensed accommodation providers reporting significant drops in occupancy levels, the STAR program will provide financial assistance for eligible expenses in facilities with three or more rooms. Building on the support and critical partnership of the federal government last year, the two programs are available for application now and will provide support to these two sectors as they continue to look forward to traveling restrictions easing.

The NWT Chamber sent supporting letters to MP Michael McLeod and Minister Caroline Wawzonek on behalf of a member, The Explore Hotel requesting the consideration of a Tourism Accommodation Supplement program similar to the one introduced in Yukon in late 2020
Letter to Minister Melanie Joly from the Hotel Association of Canada - link
Letter to MP Michael McLeod - link
Letter to Minister Caroline Wawzonek - link
Response from Minister Caroline Wawzonek - link