ONTARIO
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 applicants with a tourism mentor and provide seed funds to help bring their new tourism ideas to life. 2024 “Spark" Programs: > Bruce County (Round 6) - Apply by Nov. 1 > London UNESCO City of Music - Apply by Oct. 10 > Northeastern Ontario (Round 2) - Apply by Oct. 29 > Black Tourism (Round 2) - Apply by Dec. 4 > Indigenous Tourism (Round 5) - Apply by Jan. 15, 2025 > Peterborough & the Kawarthas (Round 3) - 2024 Winners > Indigenous Tourism (Round 4) - 2024 Winners > Vaughan (Round 2) - 2024 Winners > Ontario's Southwest Black Tourism - 2024 Winners Stay tuned for updates on new Ontario programs. 2023 “Spark" Programs: > 2SLGBTQI+ (N. Ontario) - 2023 Winners > Bruce County (Round 5) - 2023 Winners > Simcoe County (Round 2) - 2023 Winners > Haldimand County (Round 2) - 2023 Winners > Indigenous Tourism Skode Program (Round 3) - 2023 Winners > Peterborough & the Kawarthas (Round 2) - 2023 Winners 2022 “Spark" Programs: > 2SLGBTQI+ (S. Ontario) - 2022 Winners > Bruce County (Round 4) - 2022 Winners > Guelph - 2022 Winners > Middlesex County - 2022 Winners > Northwest Ontario (Round 2) - 2022 Winners > Vaughan - 2022 Winners > Haldimand County - 2022 Winners > Indigenous Tourism (Round 2) - 2022 Winners > Norfolk County - 2022 Winners > Peterborough & the Kawarthas - 2022 Winners > Simcoe County - 2022 Winners 2021 “Spark" Programs: > Akwesasne, Cornwall & SDG Counties (Round 2) - 2021 Winners > Algoma Country - 2021 Winners > Bruce County (Round 3) - 2021 Winners > Chatham-Kent (Round 2) - 2021 Winners > Indigenous Tourism - 2021 Winners > London - 2021 Winners > Northern ON (Special Edition) - 2021 Winners > Oxford County - 2021 Winners > St. Lawrence College - Special Student Edition > Windsor Essex (Round 2) - 2021 Winners 2018-2020 “Spark" Programs: > Bay of Quinte - 2020 Winners > Bruce County - 2019 Winners > Bruce County (Round 2) - 2020 Winners > Chatham-Kent - 2020 Winners > Cornwall & SDG Counties - 2020 Winners > Northeastern ON - 2019 Winners > Northwest ON - 2020 Winners > Sarnia-Lambton - 2020 Winners > Windsor Essex - 2018 Winners The "Spark" Program includes:
Selected applicants will receive:
All program applicants are 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. Be inspired! Udderly Ridiculous launched farm life tourism experiences in Oxford County.
Be Inspired! iSUP Saugeen launched a mobile surf shop, water safety awareness programs and on-water experiences in Bruce County.
Be Inspired! Lavender Fox launched year-round nature retreats and experiences in Simcoe County.
Be inspired! Curveball Creative developed a new projection art experience called "Love Text" in London.
Be inspired! Walnut Grove B&B is developing curated local wine and culinary experiences in Essex County.
Interested in launching the "Spark" Program in your region?
Interested in being a mentor and supporting start-up tourism initiatives? Please contact Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead at [email protected] or 416-712-8819 for more information. |
Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab and follow us on socials.