Saskatchewan is getting a multi-million dollar boost from the federal government.

$5.8 million is being provided to 14 different tourism projects in the province through the Tourism Relief Fund.

Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault says this investment will help drive Saskatchewan’s economy and Canada’s economy along with it.

“Tourism is Canada’s number one service export. This is big business,” says Boissonnault.

“Tourism is a key player in Saskatchewan’s economy. Generating over $2 billion a year in spending and employing almost 70,000 people in Saskatchewan.”

He adds that this investment will bolster local businesses and continue to create jobs.

The largest portion of the money is going to Tourism Saskatchewan with 2 million dollars.

“The projects that we’re receiving funding for at Tourism Saskatchewan will yield immediate and long-term benefits. They’ll create jobs, and when complete they’ll give people in this province and from elsewhere more opportunities to gather and connect with one another and celebrate Saskatchewan stories and experiences,” say CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, Johnathan Potts.

“The provincial government’s growth plan sets an ambitious goal of a 50 per cent increase in tourism expenditures by 2030. So, jumping from 2.4 billion to 3.6 billion by that year and we’re starting to track our growth.”

Other organizations in Regina like the REAL District, the Globe Theatre Society, and the Saskatchewan Science Centre are also receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars.