RTO7’s offer of the Partnership Program for 2025/26 is contingent upon the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming's approval of RTO7’s 2025/26 Business Plan.
If you are unfamiliar with the Partnership Program and applications, I highly recommend calling (Alex 705-441-2931 (ahogan@rto7.ca) to first talk through your proposed project and/or completing the application, as the process is greatly simplified with some direct explanation prior to completion of the application. RTO7 reserves the right to limit the number of programs/funds that one stakeholder may receive per year.
Please review the Partnership Program Guidelines for important background information before completing this application - once opened in Downloads, the links within the Guidelines should open in a new window in your browser when clicked on.
We highly recommend that you log into a Google account (directions in link) to access this form and know that your progress is automatically saved as a draft for 30 days so you can return to it. Please see our blog on why you should create a Google Account for your Business.
If you choose not to do this or to work offline, you will need to complete and submit the form all in one sitting and be sure to save a copy of your submitted application. If you choose not to log into a Google account, contact us to discuss how best to submit your application.
Note: We want to encourage stakeholders starting on a journey towards economic, social and environmental sustainability. Sustainability isn’t a requirement to get funding for 2025/26. However, projects that show they’re working to include or improve sustainable practices—using clear and measurable plans—may be prioritized in the application review process. The Partnership Program application process is competitive, and many people apply for the available funds. We welcome applications from all eligible businesses and organizations. No matter where you are in your sustainability efforts, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Experience Development Collaboration Details
● Experience Development projects typically include studies, research, workforce-related projects and large-scale experience development
● They also include sustainability-related projects (e.g. certifications, IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism attendance or research/feasibility studies)
● These projects most often involve procurement of a supplier (usually led by RTO7) and project management by RTO7 (working closely with the Partner)
● $1 partner funds are matched by $1 partnership funds to a combined maximum of $20,000 per project. Example $10,000 leverages to $20,000
● Minimum $5,000 investment from the partner (can be a single tourism entity or a tourism group/DMO/tourism organization/municipality); maximum partner investment $10,000 (as outlined below, sustainability-related projects may have a much lower partner buy-in)
● As part of our focus on the sustainability of tourism, we are encouraging businesses and destinations to undertake sustainability certification.
This must be done through a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recognized organization. Third party certifications of an aspect of sustainability may be supported (to be reviewed on a case by case basis).
The minimum partner contribution for this initiative is $400
RTO7 commits to covering a portion of the recurring annual costs associated with maintaining certification for the next 3 years
● Note for those proposing/undertaking planning/feasibility projects/exercises, sustainable tourism practices must be addressed in a meaningful manner within the plan/study
● A new eligible project within this stream is attendance at the IMPACT Travel & Tourism Conference in early May (2025 dates TBD) in Waterloo - 50% of ticket price only may be reimbursed upon receipt of a partner summary of learnings, insights, future action items as a result of attendance
● To ensure timely and constructive execution of the planning and actioning of the project. the Project Rep named below will act as the decision maker and liaison with RTO7 and the selected consultant
● Once the project is approved, all communications regarding the project MUST be conducted in Basecamp (provided by RTO7)
The red asterisks below indicate required fields.
This should be 1/2 of the total project cost (including tax)
You will need to send RTO7 this amount in the form of EFT, e-transfer or cheque
The minimum partner contribution for this program is $5,000 ($400 for sustainability-related projects); the maximum is $10,000 (including tax)
Please describe your project and its benefits/what success will look like upon completion of the project.
Provide baseline performance data against which the outcomes of the project will be evaluated (e.g. increase tourist spending, visitation, investment, sustainability, number of experiences in market, etc.)
If this is a workforce development project, please indicate which workforce the proposed project supports (e.g. one sector, one County, the region, etc.)
Please keep in mind that revenue generation by tourism operators and sustainability of tourism operations are of key importance and should therefore be reflected as appropriate in what you are proposing.
What do you see as the key activities and critical deadlines/milestones of the project? Keep in mind that we will conduct a procurement for a third party that will conduct the work required.