Each year, RTO 9 works hand-in-hand with tourism partners to enhance experiential tourism across the South Eastern Ontario region. RTO 9’s Partnership Fund is designed to forge strong and diverse partnerships that either build on existing tourism products or introduce new tourism products. These projects serve to enhance the region’s diversity of offerings to create a competitive advantage in tourism experiences throughout the South Eastern Ontario region. The Partnership Fund is not a grant program, it is a Partnership Program that requires a buy-in of 50% of eligible project costs from the applicant.
Definition of ‘Partnership’
Partnership is defined as the agreement of RTO 9 to work with one or more entities on a specific project in support of RTO 9’s Business Plan for the current year. Partners who are awarded funding through the Partnership Funding program receive more than money to help reach their project goals. RTO 9 provides guidance in partnership building, experiential tourism development, and digital marketing designed to utilize partner synergies and drive tourists to the region. RTO 9 works in collaboration with our tourism partners to ensure projects come to fruition. RTO 9 partners with operators to share costs on a 50/50 basis and provides guidance in the areas of development, and digital marketing.
Who is eligible to apply?
Partnership Funding for 2025-2026 is intended solely for for-profit tourism businesses interested in undertaking tourism-related initiatives that increase visitation to the South Eastern Ontario region. Businesses that are just looking for funding and are not interested in learning or understanding how their project fits within the tourism landscape will not be considered for this program. We are looking for businesses that want to help grow the visitor economy which, in turn, will make our communities vibrant places to live and work.
Partnership Funding is not available to DMO/DMMO/DMP offices, Business Investment Areas, Chambers of Commerce, Museums, Municipalities, non-profit organizations or membership-based associations.
Please connect with Meg Dabros, Operations Manager at RTO 9, for all questions related to our application process and to discuss your project prior to applying to the program.
