Already $81,000 has been awarded to support local Cowichan businesses and their events.
Tourism Cowichan has launched the second round of the Tourism Cowichan Events and Festivals Fund.
The call is open to all events and festivals that meet the program’s criteria and objectives, and applications will be accepted until May 31. The fund will offer contributions of up to $10,000 per applicant, and all funds are expected to be used in 2024 in accordance with the program’s guidelines.
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Tourism Cowichan Society is a non-profit organization providing destination management services to the region. Its primary goal is to build a responsible tourism campaign that benefits all local businesses, the community, culture and the environment. The first call for Tourism Cowichan Events and Festivals Fund funding was successful, with a total of $81,100 awarded to support 13 events, including Noir Fest, Burnt Bridge Classic Gravel Fondo and Headwaters Outdoor Festival.
“The funding provided by Tourism Cowichan gave us the support we needed to create a festival that puts the spotlight on both our company and Cowichan,” said Janet Doherty, owner of Merridale Cidery & Distillery. “Tourism Cowichan was very supportive throughout the entire process and made it very accessible to businesses.”
The Tourism Cowichan Events & Festivals Fund is designed to leverage marketing dollars collected from city and provincial taxes through lodging in the region. By supporting festivals and events, the program aims to increase visitation, enhance the economic and social benefits of tourism, promote seasonal diversification and position the Cowichan Region as a preferred destination.
“By supporting a wide range of events, this program fosters impactful partnerships, strengthens the region’s tourism benefits and ultimately increases its attractiveness as a multi-night destination for new and repeat visitors,” said Cowichan Tourism Development Specialist Kenzie Knight. “We are pleased to continue offering this grant funding for a second year.”
For more information about the Tourism Cowichan Events & Festivals Fund, including program guidelines and the application process, visit tourismcowichan.com.
