As we celebrate Pride Month and our 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada, we are proud to collaborate with many partners who are committed to make tourism more inclusive, equitable and diverse.

Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations recently launched by Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ 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 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.

Hackforge, the parent non-profit organization of the Tourism Innovation Lab, is proudly Rainbow Registered!

Learn more about the Rainbow Registered program. 

We are excited to share that all 12 of our Rainforest to Rockies "Spark" Program winners have now started the mentorship program and are paired with some incredible tourism entrepreneurs and experts in the field. 

To learn more about each of their unique tourism ideas and the mentors that are helping them get there, visit the Rainforest to Rockies "Spark" Program page here​.

The Rainforest to Rockies “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between Destination BC, the Tourism Innovation Lab, Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region.

The 2024 Rainforest to Rockies “Spark” Program winners are:

1. Annamarie Klippenstein, Similkameen Cider Festival
2. Deana Steele, Ro – Wellness Resort
3. Sara & John Elley, “Pioneer Nights at Echo Lake Resort”
4. Stephen Lathem, Nip &Tuck Goldmine
5. Liz Cohoe, Kootenay Rockies Artisans at Work Excursion Tour
6. Corinna Hamilton, Little Bearskin Den – Métis Experiences
7. Todd Davidson, Highway 3 Museum Tour
8. Jeremy Lebreton, Adventure Vehicle Rentals
9. Michael MacWilliams, Rainforest To Rockies: The Hunt
10. Lise Hines, BC a la carte Adventures
11. Pamela McGarel, Kootenay Rockies Self-Guided Tours
12. Christina Metherall, Squamish Discovery Tours

We'd like to remind you all of the amazing small business resources Destination BC has put together. Whether you are one of our "Spark" Program winners, or just getting started in your entrepreneurial journey, this is a helpful toolkit for anyone building a tourism idea!

​Learn more here.

Due to a high number of quality applications submitted to the 3rd round of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas "Spark" Program, a second pitch session was added to support more tourism entrepreneurs and innovators in the region.

Congratulations to our Round 3 winners!

1. Alex Grant, Lovesick Kayaking (Lovesick Kayaking instruction and tours)
2. Claudia MacDonald, Heritage Blooms UPick (Heritage Blooms UPick - Workshops)
3. Kelly Convery, Sanctuary Flower Fields (Sanctuary Flower Field Experiences)
4. Meaghan Kynock, muttmixx (Doggy Day Picnic)
5. Miriam Davidson, Rice Lake Arts (Rice Lake Arts: Where Art and Nature Meet)
6. Nikki Nelson, N2Adventures (Farm to Forest – A Local Food Experience)

Each will receive $3,000 in seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support to help them bring their new tourism ideas ideas to life. Stay tuned for updates on their progress.

Thanks to our review jury, pitch session judge panels and partners Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development for making this program possible.

Be inspired! Aggie Armstrong launched contemporary art experiences on her farm in Oxford County.​

The "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program​ will be expanding to new regions in British Columbia and Ontario in 2024. 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.