RTO 9 Announces 8 Additional Partnership Proposal Recipients
RTO9 awards an additional $60,000 to local tourism businesses in the region
Kingston, ON – (November 16, 2020) – The Regional Tourism Organization for South Eastern Ontario (RTO 9) is pleased to announce they have awarded over $60,000 in Partnership Funds to support projects across the region during the 2020/2021 fiscal year as a result of the second intake of applications.
The following is a list of successful recipients and project descriptions:
Cornwall Tourism and SDG Tourism
This off-season Destination Product Marketing project will be a collaborative effort by Cornwall Tourism and SDG Tourism to market and promote unique and enriching experiences in the region focusing on promotion of outdoor winter adventures, food, drink and culture, fat-biking and cycling as well as the Heritage Parkway.
Corporation of the County of Prince Edward
This project is a collaborative itinerary between Prince Edward County and the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board highlighting assets and experiences related to foodies; wellness; outdoors/adventure; and ‘travel the world without leaving the region.’
TIAP (1000 Islands Accommodation Partners)
This project will focus on events in the community such as Christmas Activities with a Festival of Lights and Valentine’s Day getaways in partnership with accommodation partners and spas. An awareness campaign will run for the entire winter choosing business, attractions and events that are produced by the municipality, volunteers and service clubs to feature along with image based advertisements that speak to our attributes during the COVID pandemic. This project is a joint project with the Rideau Canal.
Tourism Kingston
The Frontenac Farm to Kingston Table project leverages existing assets, itineraries, and experiences to explore the interconnected culinary relationship between the two neighbouring regions raising awareness about the culinary offerings of the Frontenac-Kingston region, driving referrals to farm, retail, and restaurant operators as well as promoting safe travel within the region, including itineraries and stay packages.
Corporation of the City of Belleville
The Winter in Belleville campaign features three themed itineraries: 1) Choose Local First – Enchanted Downtown Getaway: Experience the magic of the Downtown District during ‘Enchanted’ this winter – a walkable itinerary that safely brings together the best of the holiday season including destination retailers, festival of lights, rickshaw rides and dine-in or curbside pickup festive feast menus. 2) Winter Escape – this itinerary is all about experiencing Belleville’s winter vibes in your social bubble. Belleville’s winter themed experiences include a brew tour, day of wellness and night of entertainment with the Belleville Senators. 3) Enjoy the Cold: Featuring curb-side pick-up options and outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the winter season that are Covid-19 friendly for your family.
Huff Estates Winery & Inn
This project – At Home in The County – is designed to offer would-be travelers staying close to home due to the pandemic, an opportunity to enjoy an interesting and enjoyable array of experiences – many with a unique Prince Edward County flavour – close to home. The project will deliver a varying array of experiences as the months and seasons roll by. There are opportunities to experience, in depth, the history and culture, as well as the culinary and artistic attractions of a community rich in hospitality, cookery classes, art show and sale, afternoon teas, Maple in The County, Sandbanks walks, painting & photography classes to name a few.
1000 Islands Playhouse
The A Wonderful Life in Gananoque project will feature an ongoing burgeoning light display, many visits from the ‘real’ Father Christmas, the ability to sit by a warm fire in a Muskoka Chair and enjoy a horse and buggy ride through the town. Carolers will fill the winter skies with merriment. There will also be tree selling on the historical footbridge and a light display in Confederation Park put on by the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber.
The Waring House Rest. & Inn/The County Museums (Wallis Inc. Escape Camp Picton)
Working together, Escape Camp Picton, the Museums and The Waring House will offer an exciting, educational, and engaging 2-day itinerary for families in the winter season (February/March). Exploring an escape room, engaging with specialty museum programming and staying/dining in an historic inn is a perfect opportunity for homeschoolers, online schoolers, and families, in general, to engage with history in a hands-on way. The partners are working on packaging these existing activities and developing new experiences to be hosted at The Waring House (i.e. family paint night of historic art, wartime cooking class). The itinerary will be promoted to overnight “staycationers”.
For the past 7 years, the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries has provided RTO 9 with Partnership Funding that is used to leverage a variety of projects that support the growth of tourism within the region. Projects vary in scope from events to marketing initiatives to product development and training. “I look forward to working with our tourism partners to see these great projects succeed,” said Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director, RTO 9.
For more information about RTO 9, visit tourismtalk.ca
About RTO 9
RTO 9 is a regional tourism organization established in 2010 that is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. RTO 9 actively promotes tourism for the South Eastern Ontario region and works to support and grow the tourism industry through marketing, product development, investment attraction, and workforce development initiatives. The regions of South Eastern Ontario are 1000 Islands Gananoque, Bay of Quinte, Brockville, Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Counties, Frontenac County, Kingston, Lennox and Addington, Prince Edward County, and the Rideau Canal.
Media Contact
To arrange an interview with Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director of Region 9 (South Eastern Ontario) Regional Tourism Organization, or arrange high-res images please contact:
Erin O’Driscoll
Account Specialist
Beattie Tartan
Direct: 647-232-6924
Nicole Amiel
Director – Eastern Canada
Beattie Tartan
Direct: 416-436-5185 / M: 514-983-3959