About RTO8
What is RTO8?
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming to promote regional tourism activity in the area that is now branded as Kawarthas Northumberland. It was created through the Tourism Competitiveness Study completed in 2009.
The Tourism Ladder
Different organizations serve the tourism industry across several levels, starting with Destination Canada promoting the country at large and ending with you and your local business or project. Click the elements of the Tourism Ladder below to learn more about the goals and responsibilities of each tier.
Destination Canada
Destination Canada markets Canada as a tourism destination to the world to bring visitors to Canada.
Destination Ontario
Destination Ontario markets the province of Ontario both domestically and internationally as a tourism destination to bring visitors to Ontario.
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8)
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) markets the Kawarthas Northumberland region as a tourism destination to bring visitors to Kawartha Lakes, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and Northumberland County.
Destination Marketing/Management Organizations (DMOs)
Destination Marketing/Management Organizations (DMOs) such as Kawartha Lakes, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and Northumberland County market their respective regions as tourism destinations to bring visitors to their region.
Local Tourism Office/Chamber of Commerce
Connect with your local tourism office or chamber of commerce to see what programs and services may be a fit for you.
Your Role
Your role is to bring visitors to your place of business. You achieve this with market ready consumer products / experiences for purchase that you “leverage up” the ladder. Work with your DMO (and where applicable also with your Chamber of Commerce) to market your business. If they don’t know about your product or experience then you’re missing a key marketing opportunity.
Each level on the tourism ladder plays a role in bringing consumers to your door but none is more important than you. Are you ready to welcome visitors? Can they purchase your product / experience online? Is your website mobile friendly and up to date with current information? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself before going to market.
For more information about the Regional Tourism Organization system and the 13 regions represented, please visit the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming website.
The City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, & Northumberland County
RTO8 works with the existing tourism offices in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, the City of Peterborough, and Peterborough County who are each responsible for product development and marketing to tourism consumers within their areas.
These offices are the lead agencies for local tourism within each of the three sub-regions of Kawarthas Northumberland. Each works in partnership with stakeholders to market and develop their respective sub-regions and provides strategic and practical support to develop and sustain Kawarthas Northumberland – RTO8 as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
Click the logos to be directed to each website.
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that RTO8, Kawarthas Northumberland is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.
We respectfully acknowledge that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.