Tourism Businesses can now Apply for RTO8 Funding

Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) just launched the 2026/27 Partnership Funding Program.

What is the Partnership Funding Program?

The program supports tourism-focused businesses and organizations through matched funding for new projects that will further tourism in the region.

What Projects are Eligible?

a) Digital Marketing Campaigns (40+km): bookable consumer experiences that include an overnight stay. Priority will be given to campaigns that include more than one partner.

b) Signage Improvements: permanent signage that focuses on assisting the visitor to navigate unfamiliar areas, discover attractions and engage more deeply with the region’s identity and stories.  This can include wayfinding, heritage/storytelling and new TODS (Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing – on Ontario roadways)

c) Studies and Strategic Planning: focusing on Feasibility, Gap Analysis, Asset Inventory and Tourism Development Plans

d) Visual Asset Creation (photo/video), Paid Digital Advertising and Website Readiness Review & Action Plan: this helps tourism operators access high-quality visual content, digital advertising, and website guidance without the complexity of managing agencies, campaigns, or production themselves. RTO8 manages the agency, creative development, and media buying on your behalf.  You receive finished assets, campaign results, and insights. 

How Much Funding is Available?

The Partnership Funding Program is a matched funding model, it is not a grant. Partnership Fund projects require a minimum partner contribution of $1,500 and a maximum partner contribution of $14,000. Contributions will be matched by RTO8. Costs are exclusive of HST.

How do I Apply?

Visit RTO8's website for full program details and application process.

About RTO8:

RTO8’s focus is to help tourism businesses within the regions of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough build capacity and drive growth to the visitor economy within the region. Visitors are those who travel 40+ kilometers (one-way) to spend money in a community they neither work nor live in.