In This Issue

• Ontario Tourism Strategy Launched
• 2025/26 Partnership Funding Program Intake 2: Still Open!
• RTO3 Certification Support Information Webinar
• 2025 Regional Tourism Awards
• Ontario Tourism Education Corporation: Women in Leadership
• A Year of Anniversaries in Hamilton Halton Brant
• Funding and Grants
• In The News
• Research and Data
• Free Marketing Opportunities with RTO3
• Upcoming Events

Ontario Tourism Strategy Launched

Last Monday, August 11, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) officially launched the Ontario Tourism Strategy - a bold, forward-facing blueprint designed to drive long-term growth, investment, and collaboration across the province.

After months of consultation with thousands of tourism stakeholders, the strategy presents a united vision for a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive visitor economy. It’s time to move from recovery to renewal and build a tourism future that reflects the full potential of Ontario’s people, places, and experiences.

RTO3 is committed to advancing the goals in this province-wide strategy and advancing Hamilton Halton Brant into a stronger, more resilient future.

2025/26 Partnership Funding Program Intake 2: Still Open!

Our 2025/26 Partnership Funding opportunities are still available. Applications must be submitted via our Google forms that are open until October 28, 2025; or until capacity is reached. Multiple applications are allowed and partnerships will be awarded subject to availability, program fit and equitable distribution of funds.

Shoulder Season Experience Development

Looking to extend your business season by creating experiences in November through April? RTO3 matches your investment to develop shoulder season offerings to attract visitors year-round.

Certification Support

Build business credentials with nationally recognized certifications that appeal to specific visitor markets. RTO3 covers 50% of first-year certification costs for: Rainbow Registered by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, Feast On®

by Culinary Tourism Alliance, and Ontario By Bike registered.

Travel Influencer Marketing

Planning to work with travel influencers? Partner with us to stretch your budget through cost-sharing and create more authentic content for their followers.

Co-op Advertising: Paid Social Media Campaign

Double your marketing budget with our social media advertising partnership, driving traffic to your business for up to 8 weeks with expert campaign management. Please note that the campaign must be at least 8 weeks from your application date.

Photography Asset Development

Ready to refresh your visual storytelling? Partner with professional photographer Damian Dudek of Dudek Photography to capture premium-quality images of your business, products, or events at a special discounted rate.

RTO3 Certification Support Information Webinar

Join us virtually on Tuesday, September 16 between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for an information webinar on our Product Development partnership opportunities (Shoulder Season Experience Development & Certification Support).

Learn about our Shoulder Season Experience Development, and each of the certifications and how being Feast On® Certified, Rainbow Registered, or registered with Ontario By Bike can help you reach new audiences and open new opportunities. The webinar is an open meeting room and partners can join and leave at their convenience based on which opportunity they are interested to learn about.

Agenda

9:00 to 10:00 am - Shoulder Season Experience Development - Bev Scott, RTO3

10:30 to 11:30 am - Certification by Ontario by Bike - Maureen Beatty, RTO3

11:45 am to 12:45 pm - Rainbow Registered - Victoria Wicks, CGLCC

1:00 to 2:00 pm - Feast On® - Rebecca Mackenzie, CTA

RTO3 will then assist you in taking the next step in developing a shoulder season experience, or by covering 50% of your first-year certification fees if you are eligible for certification.

2025 Regional Tourism Awards

The annual RTO3 Regional Tourism Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses that drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in our tourism sector.

The program opens for applications and nominations each fall, with submissions closing at the end of November. Winners and finalists will be honoured at our annual Southern Ontario Tourism Conference in London next March.

Know of a tourism product, activity, experience or business development this year that could be worthy of taking home a 2025 award? Be sure to submit an application, or even nominate a worthy business this fall!

Ontario Tourism Education Corporation: Women in Leadership

Join the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation(OTEC) on September 10th from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for the next installment of their Women in Leadership Series: Your Voice, Your Power: Cultivating Self-Advocacy. This session equips women with the tools to advocate effectively for themselves in the workplace. Participants will learn to recognize their value, communicate their needs confidently, master negotiation skills for career advancement, and build alliances to amplify their voice and achieve their goals.

A Year of Anniversaries in Hamilton Halton Brant

This year marks a special milestone for several outstanding organisations across Hamilton Halton Brant, and we're thrilled to celebrate their remarkable achievements. These anniversaries mark decades of dedication to enriching our regional tourism landscape and creating memorable experiences for both visitors and residents alike.

Celebrating 50 Years:

• Art Gallery of Burlington continues to showcase exceptional contemporary art and community programming, positioning Burlington as a cultural destination.

• Woodland Cultural Centre honouring years of preserving and sharing Indigenous culture and history.

• Conservation Halton Foundation celebrated decades of environmental stewardship.

• Georgetown Highland Games marked their golden anniversary, having grown into one of North America's largest single-day Highland Games

• Dundas Cactus Festival brings half a century of community celebration to the region.

Marking Important Milestones:

• Sheraton Hamilton Hotel celebrates 40 years as downtown Hamilton's flagship accommodation.

• The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust marks three decades of connecting visitors to stunning waterfront assets

• Two Row on the Grand celebrates a decade of fostering reconciliation and cultural understanding along the Grand River.

• Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation commemorated 10 years of economic development leadership and strengthening Indigenous tourism opportunities.

  
  

These milestone celebrations showcase the collaborative spirit and diverse experiences that make Hamilton Halton Brant a thriving destination. As we look ahead, RTO3 remains committed to supporting these valued partners and all our tourism operators for many more years of shared success in building our region's vibrant tourism community.

Funding and Grants

In The News