The Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab’s “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program launches today in London encouraging individuals, small businesses and nonprofit organizations to create new tourism ideas for the region.

View the announcement video on the Tourism London YouTube page.

The “Spark” Program matches selected applicants with a mentor and provides a $3,000 grant to help take their tourism initiatives to the next level of development.

The goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences, and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in products and services, motivate travel and increase visits year-round.

Organizers are especially interested in new tourism ideas that connect with technology, celebrate our diverse communities, people, cultures and history, activate greenspace and waterways and establish multi-sector partnerships and collaborations.

Applications are being accepted from November 10, 2020 to January 6, 2021 at tourisminnovation.ca/London. Following a review process, top applicants will be invited to a Finalists’ Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

Innovation in the tourism industry is critical for the region to respond, adapt and recover from the significant impacts of the evolving travel landscape as the result of the COVID-19 health and economic crises.

The London “Spark” Program is a partnership between the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab and the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport Tourism & Culture Industries, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, Tourism London, Fanshawe Leap Junction, London Economic Development Corporation and TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario.