On September 14th, the Algoma Country "Spark" Program was officially launched, inviting entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in this incredible Northern Ontario region to come forward with new tourism ideas.

Selected applicants will receive $3,000, tourism mentorship, plus additional partner support and resources to help them them started.

The Algoma Country “Spark” Program is being led by Destination Northern Ontario (as part of their tourism training program), Tourism Excellence North, and the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Algoma Country and Sault Ste. Marie Tourism.

There are two upcoming virtual Info Sessions for prospective applicants to learn more and have an opportunity to ask questions. You will also learn how Tourism Excellence North’s training and development solutions for tourism operators can assist you and your business to improve the bottom line and the visitor experience.

- Info Session #1: Thursday, September 23 @ 5:00-5:45pm ET
- Info Session #2: Tuesday, September 28 @ 11:30am-12:15pm ET​

Register at www.tourisminnovation.ca/AlgomaCountry

Algoma Country "Spark" application deadline is October 19, 2021.

A third round of the “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program has been launched to encourage Bruce County entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new sustainable tourism ideas for the Bruce Peninsula.

Previous participants were selected for guided forest bathing walks, Indigenous tourism experiences, multi-person canoe ecotours, year-round retreats, transparent kayak adventures, and winter glamping retreats.

Do you have a new sustainable tourism idea for the Bruce Peninsula? Register for an upcoming info session (webinar) to learn more about the Bruce County "Spark" Program and how to apply. You could be selected to receive a $3000 grant and mentorship to help get your started.

- Info Session #1: Thursday, September 23 @ 11:30am-12:15pm ET
- Info Session #2: Tuesday, October 5 @ 5:00-5:45pm ET​

Register at www.tourisminnovation.ca/Bruce

Bruce County (Round 3) "Spark" application deadline is October 15, 2021.

Destination BC, presenting partner of the British Columbia Tourism Innovation Lab, and regional partners announced the winners of the “Spark” Grants & Mentorships Program in the West Kootenay. Three finalists successfully pitched their new tourism ideas to a panel of judges, and were each awarded a $3,000 grant, a three-month mentorship, and additional partner support.

Our congratulations to:

Phil Loosley: Alpine Improv Retreat  
Create an annual weeklong improv-based retreat, to bring improvisers from across North America and the world to Rossland starting in the summer of 2022. This West Kootenay destination will encourage improv attendees to improve their skills, create connections and experience the mountain town lifestyle & explore the surrounding area.

Gillian Kemle: Creston Valley Tours & Rentals
Offering fully-loaded, customized tours of the valley including wine tours, hiking, biking, kayaking, garden, art and agricultural. The dream is to create a community of adventure-seeking local operators who want to get involved with sharing the beauty of the Creston Valley with destination visitors who wants to experience it.

Krista Humphrey: West Kootenay Craft Gear Trail
Similar to the 'BC Ale Trail',  this trail or road trip will showcase the outdoor recreation gear manufacturing industry (KORE network) in the West Kootenays.  An opportunity for visitors to 'meet the makers' - talk about form & function, demo & test gear and purchase products made by these craft gear makers.

Stay tuned for updates on their progress!

Thanks to our West Kootenay "Spark" Program partners Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Destination Castlegar, Explore Creston Valley, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, Tourism Rossland, and Visit Arrow Slocan.  

Tourism entrepreneurs and innovators in British Columbia's Sea to Sky Region have until October 6 to submit their new tourism ideas to the "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program.

There is one more virtual info session on Wednesday, September 29 at 5:00pm-5:45pm PT. For more information and to register go to www.tourisminnovation.ca/SeatoSky.

The Sea to Sky “Spark" Program is presented by Destination BC, in collaboration with the Tourism Innovation Lab, Tourism Squamish, District of Squamish, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Tourism Whistler, Tourism Pemberton, Village of Pemberton, Government of British Columbia, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and Indigenous Tourism BC.

The "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program​ will be expanding to new regions in 2021. 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.