New program is aimed to spark innovation in Simcoe County tourism

Friday, April 8, 2022

On Wednesday, tourism partners from all over Simcoe County joined together online to know more about a new program that’s targeted at “sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas.”

In 2018, it was first launched by the Tourism Innovation Lab, the Spark Mentorships and Grants Program will match selected applicants with a guide and provide them with $3,000 as a seed grant and help them to take their new tourism idea to the next step.

The main objective of the program has been delivered successfully in over 20 regions all over Ontario and British Columbia. The program is targeted to find, foster and support new ideas related to tourism that will improve current offerings, speak about challenges that needs to be managed, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits.

To quote Justin Lafontaine, Tourism Innovation Lab program lead, “We are super excited. The goal is to support new tourism ideas, innovators and entrepreneurs from across Simcoe County.” The aim is that applicants will put forward innovative concepts to improve region’s current tourism offerings, create first-rate tourism experiences and perk up tourism spending in Simcoe County.

County of Simcoe tourism manager, Kathryn Stephenson, during the online event, showed her enthusiasm for the launch of the program.

“We know our friends in Bruce County have done it with great success. We are really excited to be able to take part in it,” she said. “It’s great we can partner on this program that is mentoring business. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun — and fun is important.”

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