In 2025/26, RTO7’s Partnership Program helped generate approximately $672,000 in combined tourism investment across BruceGreySimcoe. Through the annual matching program, RTO7 invested $336,000 and supported 86 community, destination and business-led projects across Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
The Partnership Program is designed to help tourism partners move practical, strategic ideas forward. Depending on the project, that can mean strengthening destination planning, improving visitor experiences, building marketing capacity, supporting sustainable tourism, developing new products or helping communities make more informed tourism decisions.
What the Partnership Program supported in 2025/26
In 2025/26, RTO7 received 111 applications requesting $440,000 in support, with approximately 20% of applicants new to RTO7. Projects supported through the program included destination planning, tourism strategy work, marketing initiatives, storytelling, product development, visitor experience improvements and sustainability-focused work.
Several of the year’s largest community-focused investments supported tourism strategy work in Midland and Innisfil, along with implementation connected to Collingwood’s Tourism Master Plan.
Strategy work matters
Tourism strategy work helps communities move from reacting to visitor activity toward planning for it.
In Midland, RTO7 supported tourism strategy work focused on strengthening the town’s role as a visitor destination and identifying opportunities for four-season tourism development.
In Innisfil, RTO7 supported tourism strategy and asset mapping to help the town take a more coordinated approach to destination management. This work supports better decision-making around tourism activity, resident priorities, infrastructure, local business opportunities and long-term community planning.
In Collingwood, RTO7 supported implementation connected to the town’s Tourism Master Plan, including tourism asset inventory work, visitor insights and product development opportunities.
Sustainability is part of the process
RTO7 continues to build sustainability into its programs in practical ways. In 2025/26, partners were asked to consider how their projects supported economic, social/cultural and environmental sustainability.
The final report notes that 118 partners shared Visit Responsibly messaging, 20 stakeholders signed the 2030 Sustainable Tourism Pledge, and 73 completed the Stakeholder Sustainability Survey. This helps RTO7 better understand where partners are on their sustainability journeys and where more support may be needed.
What future applicants can learn
Strong applications are usually clear, collaborative and realistic.
Before applying, partners should consider:
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What problem or opportunity the project addresses
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How the project supports visitors, residents, businesses or the local destination
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Whether there are opportunities to collaborate
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How the project supports sustainable tourism
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What outcomes can be measured
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What resources, timing and partner roles are needed
RTO7 staff can help partners think through these questions before intake opens.
Start planning before February
Applications for the next Partnership Program intake are expected to open in February 2027 for the 2027/28 fiscal year.
Tourism stakeholders do not need to wait until applications open to connect with RTO7. Early conversations help identify whether a project may be a fit for the Partnership Program or another RTO7 support stream.
Connect with us!
Have a tourism project idea for 2027/28? Connect with RTO7 early to discuss your goals, timelines and potential next steps. To learn more about the Partnership Program and the available streams, visit
rto7.ca/Public/Programs/Partnership-Program