The Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association (GPRTA) is receiving COVID-19 relief funding from Western Economic Diversification (WD) and Travel Alberta. 

This is part of $4 million being given to nine of Alberta’s primary Destination Management Organization’s serving the cities and Rockies to provide temporary operational funding. 

In a release, Travel Alberta said, “WD is contributing $1.45 million with a further $2.55 million from Travel Alberta’s budget to help ensure the future sustainability of these DMOs and their ability to support community tourism businesses as they reopen.” 

GPRTA says this funding will allow them, “to continue its great work promoting the Region as a destination within Alberta to travel. The funding will enable us to carry on our daily operations including effective tourism strategy development, working with local industry stakeholders and delivering services to support the needs of the travelers and community tourism operators.” 

Travel Alberta also has a grant program, with $5 million available, to support private sector tourism businesses, municipalities and non-profits called the Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Program. This grant provides funding for product/experience development and partnership marketing investment to drive responsible travel and cash flow to businesses. Applications for the summer intake are now being accepted until June 30.