After two successful rounds, a third Bruce County “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program was launched to encourage 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.

The Bruce County “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program is a partnership between Bruce County, Bruce Power, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Grey Simcoe (Regional Tourism Organization 7), Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, and the Tourism Innovation Lab.

Do you have a new sustainable tourism idea for the Bruce Peninsula? You could be selected to receive a $3000 seed grant and mentorship.

Learn more at www.tourisminnovation.ca/Bruce

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

Algoma Country entrepreneurs and innovators are encouraged to bring forward new tourism ideas for this spectacular Northern Ontario region. 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.

Learn more at www.tourisminnovation.ca/AlgomaCountry

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

The second round of a program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas for Akwesasne, Cornwall & SDG Counties was officially launched on September 29 at an event held at the downtown Cornwall Pop-up Market.

The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program matches selected applicants from the region with a tourism mentor and provide a $3,000 grant to help take their new tourism idea to the next level of development.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits. 

While there are no specific categories, we are especially interested in new tourism ideas related to:
- Accommodations
- Agri-tourism
- Arts, culture & heritage
- Culinary
- Cycling
- Indigenous
- Outdoor adventure
- New attractions
- Anchor destinations

Previous participants were selected for local food tours, an agritourism destination, and cultural & culinary experiences.

Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in Akwesasne, Cornwall and SDG Counties until November 5^th. Following a review process, the top applicants will be invited to a Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

Register for the next virtual info session on October 28 at 11:30am-12:15pm​ to learn more and ask questions.

The Akwesasne, Cornwall & SDG Counties “Spark” Program is being led by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Cornwall Tourism, Cornwall Tourism Development Fund, SDG Counties, and the Tourism Innovation Lab. 

Learn more at www.tourisminnovation.ca/ACSDG

Akwesasne, Cornwall & SDG Counties "Spark" application deadline is November 5, 2021.

The "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program​ will be expanding to new regions in 2021 and 2022. Stay tuned for announcements. 

Register here.​

Register for in person or virtual attendance here.​

​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.