The three finalists of the Bruce County Spark Program are receiving a $3,000 grant and tourism mentorship.
The winning pitches were given on Nov. 24 in the third round of the program, and the mentorship they will be receiving will go towards bringing their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.
The Spark Mentorship and Grants Program works with the Tourism Innovation Lab, Bruce County, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Grey Simcoe Regional Tourism Organization, and Chippewas of Nawash First Nation.
This was one of the 11 regions offering the program this year, and its goal is to find and support new sustainable tourism ideas. The ideas being looked for, are those that will enhance current offerings, create high-quality, low impact tourism experiences, address gaps in tourism products and services, motivate longer stays and repeat visits, disperse visitations geographically, and increase shoulder season visits and tourism spending, in the Bruce Peninsula region.
County Warden Janice Jackson says this partnership helps bring sustainable ideas to the Bruce Peninsula in the hopes of promoting Bruce County as a place to visit all year long.
Manager of Economic Development at Bruce County Jill Roote adds they are excited to see how the recipients ideas come to life to foster sustainable tourism on the peninsula.
“Bruce County’s entrepreneurs are innovative and inventive, and this year’s winners will bring enhancements to our local tourism economy,” says Roote.
The three grant winners include Amanda Hutter for dog sledding tours, Caley Patrick Doran for guided hikes and indigenous and conservation experiences, and Laura Lane for year-round wellness retreats.
Tourism Innovation Lab Program Lead Justin Lafontaine says, “we congratulate the three winners of our third round of the Bruce County Spark Program, and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting tourism initiatives for the Bruce Peninsula.”