Building 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusive Tourism in Northern Ontario

About the Project

Funding Partners

This project aims to empower Northern Ontario’s tourism and hospitality sector by fostering inclusion and creating meaningful opportunities for growth. Key objectives include:

• Expanding Inclusive Tourism: Build a sustainable network of tourism businesses and communities offering market-ready products and services that cater to the needs and expectations of 2SLGBTQI+ visitors.

• Raising Northern Ontario’s Profile: Position the region as a welcoming destination for the 2SLGBTQI+ travel market and boost tourism-related revenue across the region.

• Creating Jobs: Support the creation of tourism jobs, particularly for unemployed or underemployed individuals, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive local economy for all.

Project Deliverables

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5 Destination Audits

Destination audits are designed to assess a destination’s strengths and areas for improvement in their overall 2SLGBTQI+ travel market-readiness or tourism strategies. The final recommendation report from the Audit serves as a benchmarking tool to continue to assess and elevate their 2SLGBTQI+ travel market strategy each year.

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10 Inclusive Webinars

These funded workshops cover the basics of 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive vocabulary, space, and workplace and will be delivered to the tourism business owners, outfitters and general public during 2025. See the “Building Inclusion Through Education and Awareness” section below for more details.

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25 Regional Trainers

This program will train 25 individuals from Northern Ontario to build capacity for inclusive tourism within their communities. Equipped with the skills to foster welcoming spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ visitors, these leaders will drive positive change and help create more inclusive destinations across the region.

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35 Rainbow Registered Accreditations

Rainbow Registered Accreditation program assesses inclusive policies and practices, guiding tourism businesses on their journey to creating more welcoming and inclusive experiences for everyone. By achieving this accreditation, these businesses will help set the benchmark for 2SLGBTQI+ inclusivity in the tourism sector.

Navigating 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusion in the Tourism Industry

To support efforts in developing market-ready products, CGLCC’s Navigating 2SLGBTQI+ Diversity and Inclusion in the Tourism Industry helps tourism-based businesses learn about 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion and how to effectively understand, value, and serve 2SLGBTQI+ visitors and staff.

2SLGBTQI+ Travel Market-Ready Webinars

This two-hour webinar will share exclusive 2SLGBTQI+ travel market info and case study best practices from around the world, as well as expose you to a number of custom 2SLGBTQI+ products to help inspire your own successful 2SLGBTQI+ welcoming tourism strategy.