The “Spark” Mentorship and Grants Program Brings Innovative Ideas to Boundary Country

Boundary Country has officially announced a new program to support innovative tourism ideas in the area.

The “Spark” Mentorship and Grants Program matches selected applicants with tourism mentors and provides a $3000 grant to develop and support new or current tourism ideas that encourage longer stays, address tourism needs, and enhance experiences in the region.

Interested applicants can apply by January 6, 2025.

For more information about the Boundary “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program and upcoming Info Sessions, visit https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/boundarycountry.html

New Grant and Mentorship Program to "Spark" Innovative Tourism Ideas Along Rainforest to Rockies Iconic Route | Apply by March 1

A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas along the Rainforest to Rockies iconic route across southern British Columbia was announced by Destination BC, in partnership with Tourism Innovation Lab, TOTA, and other tourism partners.

The Rainforest to Rockies “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants with a tourism mentor and provide a $3,000 grant and additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.

The goal of the program is to find, advance, and support new tourism ideas that will enhance the road trip experience along British Columbia’s Rainforest to Rockies corridors by motivating travellers to stop and explore a unique tourism experience, encouraging them to stay longer, and visit more communities along the way.

Eligible Projects

Rainforest to Rockies is the first Iconic brand to launch from Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics Strategy and takes visitors from the Pacific Coast to the Canadian Rockies, through the Thompson Okanagan through Highways 1, 3, 5, and 99, to Gold Country, Thompson Valley, Similkameen, South Okanagan, Boundary Country, and Shuswap areas.

The Spark Program is seeking new tourism ideas that enhance the experience of the road-trip traveller along British Columbia’s Rainforest to Rockies corridors in one or more of the following ways:

• Motivate travellers to stop their vehicle and explore a unique tourism experience along the Iconic Route

• Motivate visitors to stay longer or visit more communities along the way, 

• Address gaps in tourism products and services by offering something that does not yet exist or is in demand along the route or in the area 

• Share or convey captivating stories about the place, providing an opportunity for the visitor to connect with the destination in a meaningful way

Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate how your tourism idea supports economic, social, and/or environmental sustainability. Ideas that support or advance principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are encouraged.

Learn More and Apply

Applications are open to tourism entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations based in BC until March 1, 2024.

Following a review process, 20 finalists will be invited to four virtual pitch sessions, resulting in a total of 12 “Spark” Program winners.

For more information about the Rainforest to Rockies “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program and upcoming info sessions, visit TourismInnovation.ca/R2R.