Additional funding aimed at long-term, provincewide development of tourism sector

Press Release

April 16, 2026

METEPENAGIAG FIRST NATION – Tourism development is getting a boost thanks to a $500,000 increase in the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture’s latest budget.

“We’re excited to be making investments in provincial tourism associations and businesses,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Isabelle Thériault. “This particular investment will further strengthen our tourism industry by ensuring operators and communities are better equipped to innovate, collaborate and support the long-term development of tourism across the province while ensuring the implementation of our tourism strategy.”

The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick and Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick will each receive $100,000. The funding will help sustain those organizations, allowing them to support the industry they represent and ensuring their work is aligned with the government’s tourism strategy.

“With this investment, the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick will be able to further advance its work in strengthening and supporting New Brunswick’s tourism sector,” said Ginette Doiron, CEO of the association. “As tourism continues to be recognized as a key economic driver for the province, this funding provides the stability needed to enhance industry co-ordination, support operators across all regions, and contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the province’s tourism strategy. It reinforces our collective ability to deliver high-quality visitor experiences and to position New Brunswick for long-term growth in an increasingly competitive market.”

“We’re excited to see this investment in support of Indigenous tourism across New Brunswick,” said Kayla Johnson, executive director of the Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick. “This funding creates an important opportunity for our Wabanaki Nations, enabling us to strengthen how we support Indigenous tourism operators and communities while helping to build sustainable, authentic experiences across the province. This partnership also allows us to show up for our communities and operators in a more meaningful way, leveraging tourism as a tool for reconciliation.”

The remaining $300,000 will go to the Product Development Grant Program to create and enhance market-ready tourism experiences that will strengthen New Brunswick’s competitiveness in priority markets.

Thériault said, through stronger collaboration in the sector, the government is creating conditions for growth that are both ambitious and achievable in reaching its goal of increasing the province’s annual tourism revenues by $1 billion, reaching $3.7 billion within five years.

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