Mentorship ● Grants ● Community

Presented By:

In Collaboration With:

Cowichan “Spark" Program

Do you have a new tourism idea for the Cowichan Region?
If so, we want to hear from you!

The "Spark" Program will match selected applicants with a mentor and provide seed funds to help bring their new tourism ideas to life.

Our goal is to inspire Cowichan entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profits, and community groups to come forward with creative ideas that will spark new tourism offerings, experiences and collaborations in the Cowichan Region.

The program includes:

• Call out for new tourism ideas from individuals, small businesses, non-profits and community groups
• Application reviews by a jury including local, regional and provincial tourism leaders and innovators
• Finalists' Pitch Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den):  
  • Save the date: December 11 @ 12pm (virtual)
• Selection of 3 winning applicants

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert (mentors are not pre-selected; matches are tailored to the mentee's focus areas) 
• $3,000 in seed funds to support tourism idea development activities
• Additional partner support and resources 
• Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders​

​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.
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Testimonials & Spotlight Video

Dominik Domanski, Calma Sailing (2024 Campbell River "Spark" Winner)
"Things are going very well in the 2nd season for Calma Sailing. Thank you "Spark" program for allowing our business to get a first solid foot-hold, and for having allowed us to survive the very hard first-year of operation. I think it might have been the thing that tipped the balance in the right direction. Thank you!"

Kris Ku, Wildlife Photography Tours (2024 Surrey "Spark" Winner)
"The Spark Program allowed me to develop my business idea, connect with an experienced mentor and deliver my tourism initiative. The program was integral in my current success and efforts in growing my business."

​Be inspired! Kris Ku offers his Wildlife Photography Tours all across Surrey and White Rock.

​​​​“Spark" Program Application Guide

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APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOV. 12, 2024
​Register for an Info Session below.

Who Can Apply?

• Individuals 18+ who live, work and/or own property in the Cowichan Region
• Small businesses based in the Cowichan Region (new or existing, up to 10 full-time year round employees)
• Non-profit organizations and community groups based in the Cowichan Region (new or existing, up to 10 full-time year round employees) ​

What Are We Looking For?
We are looking for new tourism ideas for the Cowichan Region that would address one or more of the following:

• Enhance current tourism offerings
• Create high-quality, low impact tourism experiences
• Address gaps in tourism products and services
• Motivate longer stays and repeat visits
• Increase year-round visitation and tourism spending 
• Encourage collaboration between tourism operators

​* Tourism ideas must be based in and benefit the Cowichan Region.​
* Women-led and Indigenous-led tourism ideas and businesses are encouraged to apply.

Cowichan Region

How To Apply

There are 2 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program:
STEP 1. Complete the online application form
STEP 2. Submit a short video (1 minute maximum)

STEP 1. Online Application
The online application form will ask you respond to the following 10 questions in approximately 1,000 words or less. Please submit your answers using the link below. We recommend you draft your responses first in a document, and then copy and paste your final answers into the online application form.

1. Contact information.
2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or organization.
3a. 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 potential partner(s) and target market(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 questions, please record a 1 minute maximum video introducing yourself, your small business, non-profit organization or community group and your new tourism idea. You will upload or provide a link to the video via the online application form.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Info Session

Interested in learning more about the Cowichan "Spark" Program and get tips on how to apply?  Check out this recording from a recent Info Session:

Definitions & Examples

Tourism idea: Experiences, products, and partnerships that motivate travel to your area by people living more than 40 km away, across the provincial border or internationally, and provide engagement, participation, purchasing and/or travel related opportunities while they are visiting.

New: An idea that is in the ideation stage, has just been created, is under development, or has been promoted/offered publicly for six (6) months or less.

Experiences: Opportunities for visitors to engage, participate, interact, learn, and explore an area to get a local understanding and broader awareness of a destination, often combining different elements (e.g., walking tour including an interactive learning opportunity and local culinary experience).     

Product: Buyable goods and services related to tourism in the area (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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: The range of human differences, including but not limited to, race, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, religion, marital status, family status, or physical ability or attributes.

Equity: The fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people. We seek to support equity by actively identifying and removing all barriers for equity-seeking groups such as women, members of visible minority groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Inclusion: Involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.

​Accessibility: Removing barriers to increase inclusion and independence for everyone. Barriers include things such as attitudinal barriers, physical barriers, information and communication barriers, systemic barriers, technologic barriers, or sensory barriers.

Questions?

Contact:
Alex Berlyand, BC Programs Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab: [email protected]

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​Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab and follow us on socials.