WELCOME TO RTO8

Helping Grow Tourism for Kawarthas Northumberland

OUR VISION

By 2026, Kawarthas Northumberland communities will be recognized as one of the leading travel destinations in Ontario for experiencing soft outdoor and rural adventure connecting Canadian waterway heritage.

OUR MISSION

Kawarthas Northumberland will be a destination that drives its visitor economy with balanced and purposeful year-round visitation that meets our current and future capacity and community development needs.

 

WHY KAWARTHAS NORTHUMBERLAND?

RTO8 exists to support a competitive and sustainable regional tourism industry, attract visitors, generate economic activity and create jobs. We work with industry partners to build up the Kawarthas Northumberland region through experience development, investment, marketing, and workforce development

WHAT'S NEW

Job Posting: Student Travel Counsellor

As a Student Travel Counsellor, you will be part of RTO8 - Kawartha Northumberland’s Summer Staff Team. By providing an exceptional customer service experience to new, returning, and local visitors, you will assist in RTO8’s vision of propelling Kawarthas Northumberland to be one of the leading travel destinations in Ontario for experiencing soft outdoor and rural adventure connected by Canadian waterway heritage.

RTO8 Partnership Allocation Program - Now Open!

If you have a tourism product or experience you may be eligible for RTO8’s Partnership Allocation Program. In this year's first intake, preference will be given to new applicants who have not received funding from this program before, the second intake will be open to those who have received funding previously. This matched funding program provides a valuable opportunity for tourism businesses to receive support for projects such as translation, out-of-region digital marketing, experience development/enhancement, photography/videography, wayfinding signage, and more. The program’s focus is to enhance and introduce new tourist offerings, making the region more diverse and competitive in supporting overall visitor experiences.

Acceler8 logo with caption "Leading Business Towards Success"

Acceler8—Leading Business Towards Success

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO8) is pleased to offer Acceler8, a community-based business success program. This program is geared to existing tourism sector businesses within the Kawarthas Northumberland region. The tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and as we focus on recovery, we believe a success program can help your business rebuild and achieve business growth.

woman holding a sundae

Taste of the Trent-Severn Waterway Culinary Program

Calling all Culinary Providers within Kawarthas Northumberland. We’re reaching out to all food & beverage producers and providers within Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough City and County and Northumberland County to get creative and showcase a culinary product created to commemorate the 101st anniversary of through navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada.

Are You a Trail Town Friendly Business?

If you a consumer facing business located within 2km of one of the 9 Trent-Severn Trail Town (TSTT) communities, the answer should be YES! Sign up today so your businesses can start to benefit from the TSTT program and its marketing initiatives. Click the logo on the left to view the criteria and to submit an application.