RTO 9

08/11/2024

RTO 9 will be out of office on Monday, November 11th, in observance of Remembrance Day.
We honour those who fought to protect the freedoms that allow us to showcase and experience the beauty of our region.

Lest we forget.

08/11/2024

Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) and the Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to offer a fifth round of the Skode Program - this year with a focus on Indigenous Culinary Tourism.

The Skode Program will match 3 Finalists with a mentor and provide a $5,000 non-repayable financial contribution to advance their new Indigenous culinary tourism ideas to the next level.
​
Their goal is to inspire ​Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profits and community groups to come forward with new Indigenous culinary tourism ideas and experiences that will authentically represent, celebrate and promote Indigenous food in Ontario.

Call out for applications from November 7, 2024 - January 15, 2025
Learn more👇🏼
https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/ito.html

07/11/2024

Coming next week!
The 1000 Islands International Tourism Council will host the 1000 Islands Binational Tourism Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Doubletree by Hilton Kingston, Ontario.

Fostering cross-border collaboration!
Learn more👇🏼

Join us for the return of the 1000 Islands Binational Tourism Summit, a one-day event...

06/11/2024

Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism: A Series for Businesses and Destinations
Series: January 15, January 22, January 29 & February 5, 2025 | Online

Unlock the potential of your tourism business with the Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism Workshop Series. This four-part virtual series, hosted by GreenStep Solutions and supported by RTO 9, empowers you to develop a tailored sustainability action plan that aligns with global standards. Through interactive and engaging sessions, you'll gain essential knowledge on sustainability criteria and assessment, create actionable goals, and learn how to communicate your progress effectively.

Participants will walk away with a concrete plan and a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions. By completing the series, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion and become eligible for optional one-on-one consulting support to refine and implement your strategy.

This workshop series is priced at $107.83 for all 4 sessions (incl. fees, $25/session), as it requires a lot of participant contribution and effort to walk away with an action plan and certification for your business/organization at the end of the series.

Maximum capacity of 30 businesses for the series.

Learn more and save your seat- https://rto9.ca/events/sustainable-and-regenerative-tourism-a-series-for-businesses-and-destinations/

06/11/2024

Calling all Kingston and area businesses- Get ready for Diversity Works 2024
" We hear your challenges, let's talk solutions"

📅 Tuesday December 3rd, 2024
🕐 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
📍 Kingston Market Square Hotel - 285 King St. East, Kingston
🫱🏼‍🫲🏽Hosted by KEYS Employment & Newcomer Services
📝 Learn more & Register: https://rto9.ca/events/diversity-works-symposium/

Keynote speaker: Mitzie Hunter, President, and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Three concurrent sessions, including:
💡Employment Immigration Pathways with Hesam Hassan Nejad, Ph.D., RCIC, on navigating work permits.
💡Inclusive Workplaces in Action, where our Workplace Inclusion Charter team will brainstorm effective EDI solutions.
💡From Barriers to Benefits, focusing on strategies to leverage high-barrier talent for entry-level success.
💡Plenty of networking opportunities and constructive discussions.

Who should register?

▪️Representatives from Kingston and area employers who are eager to connect with the newcomer labour pool, learn more about the various employment immigration pathways for temporary workers and international students, and promote workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion.
▪️Newcomer job seekers and professionals from all sectors with intermediate to advanced English language skills (CLB 5+).
▪️Community organization representatives, economic development stakeholders, and anyone interested in supporting newcomer success and regional economic development.

🍽️Plus a complimentary buffet lunch!

04/11/2024

📣Last call- LIVE marketing webinar - coming up this week!

🚀Mastering Ecommerce with Mailchimp
📆November 7, 2024
🕛 10:00 am-11:00 am EST
📍Online
🫱🏼‍🫲🏽Hosted by RTO 9 and JBC Pushing Digital Boundaries
📝Register: https://rto9.ca/events/mastering-ecommerce-with-mailchimp/

Effective marketing is essential for driving sales, fostering customer loyalty, and building a thriving online business. Mailchimp offers a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed to help e-commerce businesses attract, engage, and retain customers.

Learn how to integrate Mailchimp with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, enabling seamless data synchronization and automation.

Explore how to leverage Mailchimp's product recommendation and segmentation features to deliver personalized product recommendations to customers based on their past purchase behaviour and preferences.

Discover strategies for recovering abandoned carts and minimizing revenue loss through targeted email campaigns and automation workflows designed to re-engage customers.

01/11/2024

Here's a roundup of some of the RTO 9 hosted workshops & webinars you won't want to miss this NOVEMBER!
To view them all, visit our events page:
https://rto9.ca/event/

Mastering Ecommerce with Mailchimp
November 7, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and JBC | Pushing Digital Boundaries
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Social Media Strategy: Planning for Success
November 12, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and Mellow Brew Marketing
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stratégie Médias Sociaux : Planifier Pour Le Succès
14 Novembre 2024 | 10:00h-11:00h | En Ligne
Accueillie par RTO 9 et Mellow Brew Marketing
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Working with Social Influencers
November 27, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and Attractions Ontario
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

View upcoming workshops and events targeted to tourism operators within the region of South Eastern Ontario.

01/11/2024

Here's a roundup of some of the RTO 9 hosted workshops & webinars you won't want to miss this NOVEMBER!
To view them all, visit our events page:
https://rto9.ca/event/

Mastering Ecommerce with Mailchimp
November 7, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and JBC Pushing Digital Boundaries
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Social Media Strategy: Planning for Success
November 12, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and Mellow Brew Marketing
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stratégie Médias Sociaux : Planifier Pour Le Succès
14 Novembre 2024 | 10:00h-11:00h | En Ligne
Accueillie par RTO 9 et Mellow Brew Marketing
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Working with Social Influencers
November 27, 2024 | 10:00am-11:00am | Online
Hosted by RTO 9 and Attractions Ontario
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

View upcoming workshops and events targeted to tourism operators within the region of South Eastern Ontario.

31/10/2024

🍻Calling all craft breweries- coming soon!

Ontario Craft Brewers Conference (OCBC) & Marketplace
📅 Nov 6 - 7, 2024
📍 Hamilton, ON
📝 Register - https://rto9.ca/events/ontario-craft-brewers-conference-marketplace/

🍁Canada’s largest craft brewing industry annual conference and trade show

OCBC is Canada’s ultimate networking and education event, attracting craft brewers and industry suppliers from across North America. Brewery principals, staff and suppliers will meet, connect, network, learn and conduct a year’s worth of business under one roof in a couple of days.

OCBC is Canada’s ultimate networking and education event, attracting craft brewers and industry suppliers from...

30/10/2024

Upcoming webinar!

👍🏼Working with Social Influencers
📅November 27, 2024
🕐 10:00am-11:00am
📍Online
🫱🏼‍🫲🏽Hosted by RTO 9 and Kate March from Attractions Ontario
📝Register- https://rto9.ca/events/working-with-social-influencers/

Dive into the dynamic world of travel marketing at this webinar designed to empower businesses and marketers with the skills to effectively collaborate with travel influencers.

In today’s digital age, content creators are reshaping how destinations and experiences are marketed, offering unparalleled opportunities for authentic engagement and audience growth. Whether you are new to influencer marketing or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage the power of travel influencers, transform your marketing strategies, and set your brand on the path to global recognition.

📝Sign up today!

29/10/2024

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a landmark report at its Global Summit in Perth, highlighting the projected $67 billion USD contribution of Indigenous tourism to the global economy by 2034. The report underscores the sector’s role in driving economic growth, particularly in remote areas, while preserving Indigenous cultures and empowering communities.

Download the report👇🏼
https://researchhub.wttc.org/product/supporting-global-indigenous-tourism

Indigenous tourism is rapidly becoming a key economic driver, creating jobs and promoting cultural preservation. The global market is set to grow at a rate of 4.1% annually, empowering communities to control their economic futures. In Western Australia, Aboriginal tourism participation is at an all-time high, contributing significantly to the state’s economy. Similarly, in Canada, Indigenous tourism supports nearly 2,000 businesses and over 39,000 jobs, contributing $1.7 billion CAD to the economy in 2017.

Despite its growth, challenges remain in securing funding, but initiatives like Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund aim to create 800 new businesses and 21,000 jobs by 2030. WTTC continues to advocate for Indigenous tourism to ensure communities benefit fully from the sector’s growth.

28/10/2024

This September report from Skift highlights key trends in Ontario’s tourism sector, including workforce recovery, spending patterns, and growth opportunities. It covers employment challenges, shifts in domestic and international spending, and the rise of culinary tourism. Read more for insights on sustaining growth in the industry.

💡Building a data-driven decision-making culture within Ontario's Tourism Industry

Download the report👇🏼
https://rto9.ca/rto-9-reports/

This is an RTO Multi-Year Research Program that provides quarterly Insights into Ontario's tourism sector and some specifics to the RTO 9/Southeastern Ontario region.

25/10/2024

📣Calling all Cornwall/SDG businesses.
SDG Tourism, with the support of Cornwall Tourism, is embarking on the creation of a new five-year tourism strategic plan. And they need your help, too!

The new strategic plan, which aims to foster community well-being and enhance the visitor economy, will help shape the future of tourism in the region through a strategic and collaborative approach.

You're invited to attend one of three strategic visioning sessions, which will help them gather input for their new plan. All are welcome!

Upcoming Workshops:
Visioning Session 1:
Monday, October 28th
1:30pm – 3:00pm
Saunders Hydro Dam:

Visioning Session 2:
Monday, October 28th
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Sir John Johnson Manor House:

Visioning Session 3:
Tuesday, October 29th
9:30am – 11am
McIntosh Inn:

Register here:
https://whereontariobegan.ca/Tourism-Strategic-Plan/

The new strategic plan will focus on:

✅Crafting a clear vision and mission statement for SDG Counties Tourism.
✅Demonstrating the value of tourism to local communities and stakeholders.
✅Identifying key opportunities and creating a detailed action plan to assist organizations in implementation.

https://whereontariobegan.ca/Tourism-Strategic-Plan/

SDG Tourism
Cornwall Tourism

SDG Counties 5-year Tourism Strategic Plan Industry Your input is invaluable as we strive to enhance this place we call home. A great place to live is a great place to visit! Project overview The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG Tourism) with support from Cornwall Tourism, has....

25/10/2024

Do you wish you had a better grasp on AI and how you can use it within your business?

Then this Upcoming FREE workshop is for you!

⭐Integrating AI into your Business
📅October 30, 2024
🕧10:00am-11:00am EST
📍Online
📝Register- https://rto9.ca/events/integrating-ai-into-your-business/
🫱🏼‍🫲🏽Hosted by RTO 9 and Cristian Urroz of Urroz

Learn about the software and platforms available to use in your business and how these interfaces can be harnessed to assist you in automating some aspects of your daily operations - relieving yourself of manual, mundane tasks so that you can focus more on your business. In this webinar you will hear how:
✅AI can assist with content/idea creation for websites or social media captions.
✅To craft strong prompts for platforms like ChatGPT.
✅To optimize your workflow and automate some processes for your business.

24/10/2024

It's a wrap at the Ontario Tourism Summit for another year. Thank you to TIAO and Tourism Hamilton for hosting such an excellent event.

Looking forward to seeing you all at in Ottawa!

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

24/10/2024

📣Last call for a live webinar you won't want to miss!

Join GreenStep Solutions Sustainable Tourism Team next week for an informative webinar on how assessing your business’ sustainability performance can benefit your business and the planet.

✅Introduction to Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism
📍Online
📆Oct 29, 2024
🕧 1 pm - 2:30 pm EST
📝Register- https://rto9.ca/events/introduction-to-sustainable-regenerative-tourism/

This webinar is for any business owner, manager, or staff member who is interested in broadening their knowledge of sustainability and seeking ways to start on their journey to improving their organization's performance.

Join GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Team for this informative webinar to learn how your business, and...

24/10/2024

On October 23, 2024, the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence were hosted at the Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, to celebrate the achievements and recognize the outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism sector.

Congratulations to Tourism Kingston on its triple win and to Visit the County and Base31 on their well-deserved nominations. Your commitment to excellence makes South Eastern Ontario a remarkable destination to explore. Thank you for your significant and diverse contributions to Ontario’s tourism landscape.

These awards honour excellence and innovation by individuals and organizations that contribute to the growth of Ontario’s tourism industry through strategic tourism partnerships, impactful marketing initiatives, and media outreach at the provincial, national, and international levels.

Learn More
https://rto9.ca/congratulations-winners/

Visit Kingston
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
Base31
Visit The County

Congratulations to all South Eastern Ontario recipients of the 2021 Ontario Tourism Resiliency Award. The best of the best in Ontario tourism were celebrated at the annual Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at the Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa. This year's summit was about...

23/10/2024

📢Attention all tourism owners & operators
Have your say in guiding tourism growth!
The survey deadline is EXTENDED until Nov 1.

A new tourism strategy for Ontario is long overdue, the last strategy was developed in 2016. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) wants to hear from you!

Responders who complete the survey will be entered into a draw for 1 of 5 free passes to either the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism | ONTARIO Regional Event - May 2025 or Ontario Tourism Summit - October 2025.
We truly appreciate your participation!

Survey link 👇🏼
https://survey.crg.ca/index.php?r=survey/index&newtest=Y&sid=186558&lang=en&link=8

This strategy will guide growth for the tourism sector, ensuring it is industry-led and market-driven. Your voice is crucial to ensuring that Ontario’s tourism industry not only recovers but thrives in the global market.

Language: English English Français You have completed 0% of this survey Caution: JavaScript ex*****on is disabled in your browser or for this website. You may not be able to answer all questions in this survey. Please, verify your browser parameters. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is c...