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RTO 3 Hamilton Halton Brant 2026/2027 Partnership Funding Program |
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RTO 3 Launches Regional Tourism Product & Experience Development Framework & Action Plan |
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Hamilton Halton Brant has launched a five-year Regional Tourism Product & Experience Development Framework and Action Plan to strengthen tourism experiences, support industry partners, and grow the visitor economy. Guided by RTO3’s core pillars, the framework focuses on enhancing market-ready tourism products and was developed in collaboration with regional stakeholders, with support from BC Hughes Tourism Development, Management, and Marketing. Read Full Article Here. |
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RTO 3 Launches Coordinated Cycling Tourism Initiative for 2026 |
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RTO3 Hamilton Halton Brant, in partnership with regional DMOs, launched a coordinated cycling tourism initiative for 2026. The program includes a shared investment in a full-page feature in the Ontario By Bike 2026 Magazine to promote the region as a top cycling destination. By showcasing diverse routes, cycling-friendly communities, and three-season experiences, the campaign aims to attract a wide range of cyclists.
Aligned with RTO3’s 2026–2030 development framework, the initiative positions cycling as a key tourism driver while supporting local businesses through increased participation in the Ontario By Bike certification program. Overall, the effort is designed to boost awareness, enhance visitor experiences, and increase cycling-related visitation and economic impact across the region. Read Full Article Here. |
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RTO 3 Hamilton Halton Brant Board Vacancy |
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RTO 3 is seeking new Board Directors! We’re currently accepting applications for volunteer Board appointments for a three-year term. If you’re passionate about tourism and live or work within our region, we encourage you to apply.
Application deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Interested candidates are invited to visit our website to learn more about RTO3. To apply, please complete an application form submit it along with your current resume to: [email protected] |
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Upcoming Regional Ontario Motorcoach Association Learning Sessions |
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RTO3, in partnership with our sub-regional DMOs and the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA), invites you to participate in a series of in-person learning sessions focused on unlocking opportunities in the Group Tour and Motor Coach Market. If you are looking to diversify your revenue streams, fill shoulder season capacity, or better understand how to work with tour operators, this session is for you.
What You’ll Gain
Each half-day workshop will provide practical, actionable insights to help you: Understand how the group tour and motor coach market works Learn what buyers and coach operators are looking for Position and package your experience for group travel Identify new partnership and itinerary opportunities Build confidence and readiness to work within this market segment Network with like-minded business operators and your local DMOs
These sessions are designed to be practical, peer-focused, and locally relevant, with opportunities to ask questions and connect directly with industry experts and fellow operators.
March 31, 2026 – Halton 9:00AM – 12:00PM
TechPlace, 5151 New Street, Burlington April 1, 2026 – Brant 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Home2 Suites, Optimize Room – 27 Sinclair Boulevard, Building 2, Brantford April 7, 2026 – Hamilton 1:00PM – 4:00PM Tourism Hamilton Visitor Centre – Lister Block, 28 James Street N.
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The Tourism Industry of Canada (TIAC) READI™ program is designed to support the growth and resilience of Canada’s tourism industry. Whether you’re an independent business or an organization looking to support your members, READI™ gives tourism operators practical tools, training, and support to handle challenges and take advantage of new opportunities. |
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How FIFA World Cup 2026™ Will Shape Travel to Ontario |
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With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ approaching, Destination Ontario has been working proactively to understand how this global event will influence travel across the province. In partnership with Context Research Group, a new Market Intelligence Study surveyed travellers in the United States and Europe who are interested in or planning trips to Ontario for the tournament.
Results are now available and offer valuable insights into where visitors are considering travelling within Ontario, what their trips may look like, and the opportunities and barriers to regional travel.
Join a live webinar on March 24 at 11:00 a.m. to explore key findings and what they mean for industry planning, product development, and marketing strategies as we prepare to welcome visitors from around the world. |
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2SLGBTQI+ Traveller Research Initiative – Results Coming Spring 2026 |
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| Free Marketing Opportunities with RTO3 |
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With the peak travel season coming up, ensure your business listings are up-to-date on our visitor website theheartofontario.com and share what’s happening in your business with our Marketing & Communications team so we can amplify your events, experiences, and offerings through our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram and our monthly e-newsletters!
Information about our Spring campaign and marketing activities will be released soon so stay tuned for more opportunities to showcase your business. |
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Get Listed on Our High-Traffic Consumer Website Take advantage of our consumer website traffic by creating a self-serve listing account. This free marketing opportunity allows eligible tourism-facing businesses to showcase their business, events, tours and experiences. Last year, over 330,000 unique visitors explored theheartofontario.com, generating 200,000+ partner listing views and 136,000+ direct referrals to tourism operator websites. |
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Keep Us Updated on What’s New Share your business updates, special events, and new experiences directly with our marketing team. We regularly feature operator content across our email marketing (65,000+ subscribers) and social media platforms (65,000+ followers). This additional free opportunity allows us to promote your business to our engaged audiences at no cost. We encourage you to submit content to us regularly throughout the year! |
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