Funding from Ottawa Tourism will help 10 local venues, including TD Place, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Brookstreet Hotel, improve accessibility.
Ottawa Tourism announced Tuesday that its Tourism Accessibility Fund has allocated more than $100,000 to local businesses through one-time grants of up to $20,000 that will go toward retrofitting tourist facilities to improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
The funding is part of Ottawa Tourism’s capacity-building cohort, which involved local tourism operators in a six-month program to identify resources and tools to make the city a more inclusive destination for travellers.
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“Ottawa Tourism is committed to building a destination that welcomes everyone,” president and CEO Michael Crockatt said in a press release. “These efforts are not only the right thing to do, they also strengthen our tourism economy and reinforce Ottawa’s capacity to welcome and accommodate visitors of all abilities.”
On its website, Ottawa Tourism says the need for accessible tourist infrastructure is growing as the population ages. It cited a 2022 report from MMGY Global, which found that the number of travellers with disabilities will likely triple from 12.5 million in 2018 to 33.4 million by 2028.
According to the report, people with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion per year on leisure travel.
The fund was first piloted in 2024. This year’s program will provide funding to several local hotels, as well as a number of tourist attractions.
The Andaz Hyatt ByWard Market, Brookstreet Hotel, Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East Orléans will receive support to improve accessibility in washrooms and guestrooms, with the Holiday Inn also planning to install a portable stairlift.
Funding for Capital Pride will go toward accessible infrastructure for the event’s festival grounds, including viewing platforms, portable washrooms, and ASL interpretation services. The organization will partner with local company Whimble to connect people with disabilities to on-demand support.
The 100-acre Saunders Farm, a popular attraction for tourists and locals, will use its funding for a new accessible parking space, an entrance ramp and a dual-height visitor services desk.
“There’s a whole community of people who are eager to explore and enjoy local attractions but too often face barriers that make it difficult or impossible,” Mark Saunders, director of fun at Saunders Farm, said in the release. “This funding helps us open our doors wider to welcome more families and more visitors. Beyond accessibility, it’s about unlocking untapped potential and making sure everyone feels like they belong.”
Let’s Go Cargo!, Mahal Tanjore, TD Place and the Bytown Museum will also receive funding. Projects are expected to be completed by fall 2025.
