The second round of the Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) “Spark” Program​ is still open and accepting applications until January 18, 2023.

Presented by Destination BC, sponsored by TD Bank and in collaboration with ITBC, the Lab is inviting any Indigenous entrepreneurs, small businesses and/or non-profits or community groups to apply with their new tourism idea.

Applicants selected will receive a $5,000 seed grant and mentorship to help get them started and advance their ideas to the next level of development.

Register for our final Info Session happening today, Monday January 9 @ 11:30am PT to learn more and apply by January 18! 

Come say hello to the Lab at the upcoming IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference in Victoria between January 22-25! We will be attending the conference, making new connections and learning about new ways sustainable travel and tourism can make a real impact!

Learn more about the IMPACT conference and come find us at the event:
www.tourismvictoria.com/impact

​In recognizing the importance of collaboration and partnership in the face of challenges over the past few years, the BC Hotel Association and the Tourism Industry Association of BC have come together to put on the third-annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference.

The 2023 conference will take place in Prince George, BC, from Wednesday March 1 to Friday, March 3, 2023. Registration is now open!​

Last fall, Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and the Tourism Innovation Lab partnered to launch a 2SLGBTQ+ "Spark" Program in Southern Ontario - the first in Canada!

Our goal is to inspire self-identified 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, 2SLGBTQ+ majority owned & operated small businesses, and 2SLGBTQ+ focused non-profit organizations and community groups to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new tourism offerings and experiences, and help make the tourism sector more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Congratulations to our first cohort of 2SLGBTQ+ "Spark" Program winners who successfully pitched their new tourism ideas on December 13th!

• Jessie Caplan (Pop-up Camp Experiences)
• Oliver Maynard-Langedijk, MYLKSHAKE Inc. (Queer Summer Camp)
• Sarah Barnhart, Fruit Salad (Road Trips, Travel & Motel Collaboration Takeovers for Lesbians, Femmes & Gender Non-confirming Folks)

Each will receive mentorship, $5,000 in services, plus a CGLCC support package valued at over $1,500 to help them get started.

Thanks to all of our finalists for making their pitch! We look forward to working with them to support the development of exciting new 2SLGBTQ+ led tourism experiences and offerings in Southern Ontario. Stay tuned for updates on their progress.

​We held our final pitch session in December to wrap a very busy 2022 at the Lab. Congrats to our Vaughan "Spark" Program winners!

• Leila Azimian, Bio-Stat-Green Consulting (Photobioreactor Prototype for Microalgae Decorations/Installations)
• Monica Pain, York Region Arts Council (Outdoor Multi-Media Community Public Art Installation)
• Steve Schnier, Vujade Entertainment Inc. (“Really Big Show” Giant Puppet)

Each will receive a $3,000 seed grant, mentorship plus additional partner support to help take their new tourism initiatives to the next level.

Thanks to all of our finalists for making their pitch! We look forward to working with them to support the development of exciting new tourism experiences and offerings in the City of Vaughan. Stay tuned for updates on their progress!

Thanks to our review jury, pitch session judge panel and program partners Visit Vaughan and the City of Vaughan.

The Southern Ontario Tourism Conference will be held on March 6, 7 & 8 in Hamilton, Ontario. The conference is presented by both Ontario’s Southwest (OSW) and Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (HHBRTA), and will be offered both in-person and virtually.

Are you a business owner in the tourism industry looking to create strong connections in Southern Ontario? Do you want to meet other tourism stakeholders, that understand your perspective, to collaborate with? Are you looking to learn, challenge inherent biases, and improve skills needed for long-term success? Are you looking to be inspired and excited?

​For more information and to register visit www.sotourismconference.com.

We are very proud to announce that Hackforge, the parent organization of the Tourism Innovation Lab, is now Rainbow Registered! 

Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations recently launched by Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada. When you see a Rainbow Registered symbol, you know the business or organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.

Learn more about the Rainbow Registered program. 

The "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program​ will be expanding to new regions in British Columbia and Ontario 2023. Stay tuned for announcements. 

​Join our "Spark" Mentor Network and support up-and-coming and early stage tourism innovators in Canada by providing advice and guidance to help them take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development. Contact us at [email protected]​ for more information on the program and how you can be a mentor.