In response to the growing recruitment challenges of local tourism operators, Regional Tourism Organization 7 has created a new Recruitment Implementation Program (RIP). “Tourism operators in our region were facing workforce shortages prior to the pandemic and those challenges have persisted as Ontario gradually reopens,” says Kim Clarke, Manager of Stakeholder Relations with RTO7. “Our new RIP program is one way we can work with tourism stakeholders to help spread the word about the positions they are currently hiring for,” explains Clarke.
In an effort to make this program as accessible as possible, applicants can use their operational expenses to leverage marketing funds. Instead of coming up with a cash contribution, RTO7 will match your operational expenses with marketing dollars. Those looking to market their hiring efforts online can show proof of expenses like property taxes, mortgage costs, insurance, inventory purchases and more.
With those expenses verified, the tourism business will work directly with RTO7 staff to develop a social media advertising campaign. The campaign will use images to promote the positions the business is hiring for or any job fairs/hiring events they are running. Participants need an active Facebook page, recent images or video and an up-to-date website with information about available opportunities and the application process.
Click on Image Below to Watch Testimonial Video
To meet the needs of both small and large employers, the size of the online campaigns has been scaled. Partners with less than 100 employees will receive up to $1,000 of social media advertising while partners with over 100 employees will receive up to $2,500 of advertising. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2022 and programs require a two-week window to get up and running.
“The need to match prospective staff with tourism businesses has never been greater,” says Clarke. “Our region has an incredible tourism offering with great people behind it. We want to make sure that quality remains consistent by recruiting even more local talent to work in this thriving industry. RIP is one way we can help tourism businesses get the word about the many positions they currently have open.”
For more details on the program visit:
Click on Image Below to Watch Video for Detailed RIP Information
Contact Information:
Amanda Pausner,
apausner@rto7.ca / 226-568-0242
Kim Clarke,
kclarke@rto7.ca / 519-379-2506
Robyn Hewitt,
rhewitt@rto7.ca / 647-549-2983