Is your tourism business owned, managed, led, or does it service under-represented groups; Indigenous, Women, Francophone, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers to Canada, Visible Minorities, and LGBTQ2+ communities?   As the diversity of tourism offerings and leadership in Grey and Simcoe counties and the cities of Barrie and Orillia grow, this financial support will assist you and your business survive COVID.

Regional Tourism Organization 7 in collaboration with Grey County, Simcoe County, the City of Barrie and the City of Orillia will be administering non-repayable financial support ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to tourism SMEs in Grey and Simcoe counties and the cities of Barrie and Orillia.

The intention of this fund is to help offset the high cost of keeping tourists and staff safe while adapting to the changing health and safety requirements and the increasing safety demands of tourists during COVID. Examples of adaptation are the addition or expansion of patios at restaurants, the plexiglass barriers at counters or between tables, touchless payment systems, reservation systems, sanitization stations, COVID sanitizer fogging equipment, etc.

“Tourism is a billion dollar plus, year-round industry in this area and provides employment for 10’s of thousands of residents seasonally and year-round. The tourism industry is the custodian of many of the natural and manmade assets that make this region one of the most desirable places in Ontario to live, work and play.  Tourism affects all of us either directly or indirectly and helps to provide a quality of life that is desired throughout the province and around the world.  Maintaining a healthy tourism industry is needed for a healthy community and that industry needs help to survive the COVID Pandemic.”
Bill Sullivan, CEO, Regional Tourism Organization 7

All SME tourism stakeholders are encouraged to apply.  To apply, please visit RTO7.ca.