Deadline Date: March 22, 2026
The Partnership Fund Program is now accepting applications to develop innovative tourism initiatives that attract more visitors and strengthen the South Eastern Ontario tourism sector.
The program focuses on building strong and diverse partnerships that either expand existing tourism products or introduce new experiences, leveraging partner synergies to develop experiential tourism offerings. Key priorities include fostering collaboration, enhancing the visitor economy, guiding digital marketing strategies, and supporting the growth of the region’s tourism products in alignment with RTO 9’s annual Operations Plan.
The Partnership Fund is structured as a 50/50 cost-sharing initiative rather than a traditional grant, requiring applicants to contribute half of eligible project costs. RTO 9 provides partners with expertise in partnership building, experiential tourism development, and digital marketing to ensure projects achieve measurable results and strengthen the overall tourism landscape.
Eligibility is limited to for-profit tourism businesses that are committed to understanding how their project fits within the broader tourism ecosystem and are motivated to grow the visitor economy. Organizations such as DMOs, DMMOs, DMP offices, municipal offices, museums, non-profits, chambers of commerce, and membership-based associations are not eligible to apply.
Applicants selected for the program benefit not only from financial support but also from guidance and strategic collaboration throughout the project, ensuring successful implementation and meaningful contributions to the South Eastern Ontario tourism sector.
For more information, visit RTO.
