Do you have a new tourism idea for the City of Vaughan? If so, we want to hear from you!
Whether you are an individual, a start-up or an established small business or non-profit organization, there can be many challenges and barriers to bringing a new tourism idea, experience or partnership to fruition.
We want to help. The "Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide seed funds to help take their great new tourism idea to the next level of development.
Our goal is to inspire Vaughan entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences and partnerships in the city.
The program includes:
Call out for applications from individuals, small businesses, non-profits and community groups
Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism leaders and innovators
Finalists' Pitch Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den):
Save the date: Tuesday, February 13 @ 4:00-6:15pm (virtual)
Selection of 3 winning applicants from the City of Vaughan
Selected applicants will receive:
3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
$3,000 in seed funds to support tourism idea development activities
Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners
All program applicants will be invited to join our "Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one's, and development workshops.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 17, 2024 Register for an Info Session below.
Vaughan “Spark" Program Application Guide
Who Can Apply?
Individuals 18+ who live in the City of Vaughan
Small businesses based in the City of Vaughan (new or existing with up to 10 full time year-round employees)
Non-profit organizations and community groups based in the City of Vaughan (new or existing with up to 10 full time year-round employees)
Note: - Small businesses and organizations located outside of the City of Vaughan but who have current tourism activities in Vaughan are eligible to apply. - Past Vaughan "Spark" Program winners are not eligible to apply.
City of Vaughan
What Are We Looking For? We are looking for new tourism ideas for the City of Vaughan that address one or more of the following:
Enhance current tourism offerings
Create high-quality tourism experiences
Address gaps in tourism products and services
Motivate travel, longer stays and repeat visits
Increase year-round visits and tourism spending
New tourism ideas must be based in and benefit the City of Vaughan.
What Is A Tourism Idea? Experiences, products and partnerships that motivate travel to your region by people living more than 40km away, across the border or internationally, and provide engagement, participation, purchasing and/or travel related opportunities while they are visiting.
What Do We Mean By New? Tourism experiences, products, businesses and partnerships that are in the ideation stage, have just been created, are under development, or have been promoted/offered publicly for 6 months or less.
Other Tourism Definitions and Examples Experiences: Opportunities for visitors to engage, participate, interact, learn and explore in a region to get a local understanding and broader awareness of a destination, often combining different elements (eg. farmers market tour followed by a culinary class led by a local chef) Products: Buyable goods and services related to tourism in the region (eg. accommodations, attractions, tours, ticketed events, travel packages and other tourism bundles) Collaborative Partnerships: Two or more businesses/organizations working together to promote and/or deliver a new tourism related experience or product (eg., Metro Zoo + Cycling Group = “Jungle Ride” event) Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. - World Tourism Organization Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Diversity is about our many differences - like skin colour, culture, sexual orientation, family status, ability, etc. Inclusion is a feeling, and comes from actively creating a space where we feel like we are welcome, safe, and that we belong. Equity is about recognizing that our diversity means we all have different needs, and creating experiences with this in mind - so everyone can participate and have access, and feel that sense of inclusion, safety, and belonging when they do. Our goal is for the tourism sector to better reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in terms of who designs experiences, and who enjoys them. - Annemarie Shrouder, DEI Advisor
“Spark" Program Application
There are 2 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program: STEP 1. Complete the online application form STEP 2. Record and upload a short video (1 minute maximum)
STEP 1. Online Application The online application form will ask you the following 10 questions. Please submit your answers using the link below. We recommend you draft your responses first in a Word document, and then copy and paste your final answers into the online form.
1. Contact information. 2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or organization. 3a. New tourism idea project title. 3b. Describe your new tourism idea. 4. How is your idea innovative or unique? 5. What stage are you at with your idea? 6. Who are your target market(s) and/or partner(s)? 7. How does your idea advance sustainability efforts in the region? 8. How does your idea support diversity, equity and inclusion? 9. How would you utilize the “Spark” mentorship and seed funds if selected? 10. What are your desired outcomes and impacts?
STEP 2: Short Video In addition to providing responses to the application form questions, please record and upload a file or link to a 1 minute maximum unedited, unproduced video introducing yourself, your small business, non-profit organization or community group.