In Today's Update
- Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Province Wide Shutdown Update & FAQs
- Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant & FAQs
- Ontario to Waive Certain Crown Resource Fees for Resource-Based Tourism Operators in Ontario Parks
- Virtual Marine Personnel Training
- Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week Resources Now Available
- Broadband Internet For Remote Areas (BIRA) Program
- Business Technology Improvement Fund (BTIF)
- TIAO Calls - Tuesday May 18
- Yamaha Motor Canada and Safe-Guard Products Canada Partnership Delivers Complete Powersports Protection Solution to Dealers
- Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway
- Safe Travels Stamp
- Renew or Join NOTO! - Early Bird Rates Extended!
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
After another busy week of advocating and moving initiatives forward we are very pleased to have more good news for our sector of tourism. The new Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant is now available for application and crown resource fees have been waived inside Ontario Parks by Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
These two items and a few offerings in this newsletter add more tools to your COVID-19 survival toolbox. With both the Provincial and Federal budgets being finalized we anticipate there will be more tools being made available shortly.
We continue to provide input on what would make the promised programs most effective and meaningful for our sector of tourism. We are optimistic that our efforts and the efforts of our tourism organization colleagues will be successful.
This week I was so pleased to hear from many of you that the application process for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant from the Province was simple to complete. I know that there were some technical issues in the first day immediately following the announcement due to the high number of businesses applying at the same time but reports indicate there have been no other issues since. More details on this program are included in this newsletter.
We have also been contacted by campground operators as well as their seasonal guests this week. I am increasingly frustrated that the vague messaging from our Province for seasonal trailer sites during this shutdown. They have put our campground operators in a very precarious situation. Guidance is hard to obtain from any authority and guests are intimating that they will be disobeying the Stay At Home Order. Leaving operators at the front line dealing with folks that are no longer willing to adhere with the orders.
I urge each of you to have your guests sign the communication that you have shared with them upon their arrival so that you have something on record that shows you have outlined the regulations and current orders with them. Be sure to check with your local health unit to ensure that they have not added restrictions as well. Protect yourself. I know this is a challenging time and we home that it will be the last restriction this season. If you need help with communication let us know and we will be here to help.
The week ahead is packed with meetings and a to do list of follow up from recent meetings. Thank you all for continuing to keep us up to date on what is happening for you. Keep that information coming it helps to inform our efforts on your behalf.
Let's hope for more good news this week.
Be well,
Laurie
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Province Wide Shutdown Update
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation: Any indoor pools, communal steam rooms, saunas or whirlpools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed.
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When we requested clarification on how the stay-at-home order impacts lodges, the Government told us the following: Under the Stay-at-Home order, the regulations state that individuals are only to travel for essential purposes such as getting groceries or medical appointments. Travel outside of your respective health region is not permitted at this time. It is up to your guests to respect this regulation. If you do choose to operate your business regularly during this time, individuals will need to be from the same household in each cabin/cottage and you will need to comply with the regulations established for lodges.
Seasonal campgrounds: Campsites must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles that are (1) used by individuals who are in need of housing or (2) permitted to be there by the terms of a full season contract. Only campsites with electricity, water services and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided. All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed.
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When seeking clarification about how the stay-at-home order impacts seasonal campgrounds, we received the following from both the Government and Camping in Ontario: To comply with the stay-at-home order, individuals who are permitted to be on the campsite can only be there for under 24 hours (to do maintenance) or stay a minimum of 14 days. Seasonal campsites are treated as secondary residences for the purpose of the latest shutdown period/regulations. The order does not permit weekend trips to the trailer.
Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments: Take out, drive through, and delivery permitted only (includes the sale of alcohol).
You must close all outdoor recreational amenities highlighted below:
- All outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf locations, tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks, and skate parks and recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment.
- All outdoor picnic sites and picnic tables in park and recreational areas.
- Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor play structures may be open, with physical distancing in place.
Marinas: Marinas can only offer the following services:
- Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft.
- Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public.
- Any other services that may be required to (i) enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property, (ii) support government operations or services, or (iii). support the transportation of items by commercial barges.
For greater certainty, the person who operates the marina shall not permit it to be used for recreational boating purposes.
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Province-Wide Shutdown FAQs
Q. Are individuals allowed to go fishing?
There is no regulation prohibiting individuals from fishing, so long as social distancing is maintained with anyone outside your household if fishing off-shore, and that the individuals are from the same household if they are fishing from a boat (as gatherings with anyone outside your household are not permitted at this time).
Q. I have a group of individuals from different households booked for the long weekend. Am I allowed to host them? What should I tell them?
Under the Stay-at-Home order, the regulations state that individuals are only to travel for essential purposes such as getting groceries or medical appointments. Travel outside of your respective health region is not permitted at this time. It is up to your guests to respect this regulation. If you do choose to operate your business regularly during this time, individuals will need to be from the same household in each cabin/cottage and you will need to comply with the regulations established for lodges.
NOTO recommends that if you choose to open, make sure group individuals from the same household in each cabin, ideally have them bring their own boats - if not provide each household with a separate boat, and have your guests sign a form acknowledging that you have communicated with them the COVID-19 regulations that impact your business and stay-at-home order, as it is their responsibility to comply with the stay-at-home order. So long as you comply with the regulations listed above, and have your guests acknowledge their role in complying with the regulations, you have done your part.
Q. A lot of individuals are calling to tell me that they want access to their seasonal campsite for the long weekend. They've paid a season pass, but they don't want to comply with the stay-at-home order stipulations. I'm worried they will come and do what they want, regardless what I say. What should I do? What should I be telling them?
NOTO recommends that you highlight all the regulations that are currently impacting your business and the stay-at-home order stipulations highlighted in the article above to your seasonal contract holders. If they still choose to come, have them sign a form acknowledging that you have communicated the regulations with them, and that it is their responsibility to comply with the stay-at-home order. So long as you comply with the regulations listed above, and your guests acknowledge their role in complying with the regulations, you have done your part.
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Ontario Tourism & Travel Small Business Support Grant
Application portal will remain open from May 13th to June 25th, 2021
NOTO is happy to share the news that the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant is now available. This program will provide grants of $10,000-$20,000 to eligible businesses. Businesses can use this support grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business.
To be eligible for this grant, your business:
- did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
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operates a tourism or travel business in Ontario that:
- opened before 2021, and
- was still in operation on April 30, 2021.
- had 99 or fewer employees on April 30, 2021.
- has experienced a revenue decline of at least 20% if you began operating or acquired the business before July 2, 2019
- Businesses that began operating or were acquired on or after July 2, 2019 and before January 1, 2021, will receive the $10,000 minimum grant if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
- Businesses that began operating or were acquired in 2021 are not eligible for the grant.
Only businesses from the following list are eligible to apply for funding under this program:
- Amusement parks and waterparks
- Bed and breakfasts
- Cottages or cabins
- Hotels and motels
- Hunting and fishing camps
- Indoor attractions intended primarily for tourists (e.g., haunted houses, funhouses and mazes)
- Mobile food services
- Observation towers
- Operators of rides, games and other activities that are operated on a concession basis at waterparks, amusement parks, carnivals, fairs and festivals
- Outdoor adventure operations without accommodation
- Recreational and vacation camps (e.g., overnight summer camps)
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Recreational rental services (bicycle rental, boat rental, canoe/kayak rental, houseboat rental, moped rental, personal watercraft rental, pleasure boat rental, rowboat rental, sailboat rental, horse rental, snow ski equipment rental, surfboard rental and water ski rental)
- Resorts
- Travel agents and wholesalers registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO)
For businesses purchased before July 1st, 2019, you must prove a 20% revenue decline. Operators will need to select a 3 month block in 2019 and compare it to the same 3 month period in 2020 to show a 20% decline in revenue. If you've purchased the business after July 1st 2019 but before January 1st, 2021 - you will receive $10,000. If you've purchased the business in 2021, you are not eligible for this grant.
For more information and details on the grant and what information you will need for your application, please click here.
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Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant FAQs
Q. What if I don't have any staff hired on April 30, 2021
You can enter zero in this field and it won't impact your ability to obtain the grant. What they are looking for here is the number of full-time, part-time and seasonal workers you normally employ as a means to verify that you are a small business (under 100 employees). Either response will work.
Q. What do I need to include when calculating my revenue decline? Do I need to include Government supports?
For the purposes of this grant, the revenue of a business is its revenue from its ordinary activities in Ontario earned from arm's-length sources, determined using its normal accounting practices. Revenues from extraordinary items and amounts on account of capital are excluded. Do not include in revenue amounts received under federal and provincial programs that provide temporary financial relief due to COVID-19. These programs include, for example, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Ontario rebates for personal protective equipment, property taxes and energy costs.
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Ontario to Waive Certain Crown Resource Fees for Resource-Based Tourism Operators in Ontario Parks
The Ontario government is providing relief to more than 300 resource-based tourism businesses operating in Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves by waiving and reducing certain land use and licence fees for 2021.
The province’s continued support for the resource-based tourism industry will help local businesses that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The 2021 relief for resource-based tourism businesses includes:
- Removing 2021 annual land use fees for commercial outpost camp permit holders.
- Reducing and deferring payment of land use fees for commercial youth camps until the 2022 season.
- Reducing license fees for some commercial operators under service agreements in Ontario Parks for 2021.
Resource-based businesses do not need to apply for this relief. Refunds or invoice adjustments will be automatically provided to eligible businesses currently operating in Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves.
NOTO would like to thank Minister Yurek for his continued support for our sector.
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Virtual Marine Personnel Training
Do you have new or returning students working for you this summer? What about other team members that need some ‘refreshened’ training? Boating Ontario has you covered! This year Marine Personnel Training will take place virtually over Zoom! Craig Hamilton from boaterskills.ca will cover a wide range of training topics so that your team is ready for anything this summer.
Training includes:
- Customer Service
- Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA)
- Fuel Dock Training
- Spill Response
- Emergency Response
This year Virtual Marine Personnel Training will be available to all Destination Northern Ontario and Nature & Outdoor Tourism members at the Boating Ontario member rate!
Member Rate: $40 per student/employee
Training Dates:
- Saturday June 19th
- Monday June 28th
Training will occur in two, 2-hour sessions on the selected training date from 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm. Please note that training can be done as a group or individually, but certificates will only be issued to participants that have paid & completed the online tests.
NOTO would like to thank Rick Layzell and his Team at Boating Ontario for
extending this offer to NOTO members.
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Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week
Resources Available
On behalf of the Northern Ontario Tourism Training Week working group committee, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to all of our presenters and to all of our participants who attended the 2021 Virtual Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week.
If you were unable to attend a training session or if you were hoping to revisit your favorites, you will be able to access all content, recordings and PowerPoints through Destination Northern Ontario's website.
We hope you enjoyed the virtual training week and were able to walk away with new network connections, information, practical skills and inspiration. We were thrilled to be able to bring you this year's Northern Ontario Spring Tourism Training Week virtually and we cannot wait to see you again in the Fall.
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BROADBAND INTERNET FOR REMOTE AREAS (BIRA) Program
In order to receive a minimum service level of 25mbps, many small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) will need to purchase or install additional specialized equipment. There may be many obstacles preventing SMEs from utilizing or accessing this technology, which prevents them growing their business and expanding their marketing reach. This is where the BIRA program comes in.
NEOnet will assist businesses with connectivity to high-speed technology that is available by terrestrial wired or wireless services, or upgrades to existing Ku-Band or Ka-Band to new technologies. New technologies can provide service levels to a minimum of 25Mbps download and 5Mbps upload, scalable to 50Mbps download and 10Mbps upload via satellite or fixed wireless solutions.
Interested applicants should contact MJ Filo, projects@neonet.on.ca or via telephone 705-360-1353 ext. 34, who will assist you with finding a possible vendor in your area. Once you receive a quote from the vendor, contact MJ Filo before purchasing the equipment. Once eligibility has been confirmed, and your approved equipment has been purchased, you will receive a reimbursement of up to 50% (to a maximum of $1500).
Here are the eligibility criteria:
- Must be an established business operating on a full-time basis, with a valid Canadian BIN number.
- Established seasonal businesses, such as tourism operations, are also considered eligible.
- Businesses must be located within NOHFC/FedNor Northern Ontario boundaries.
For more information on this program, click here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to MJ Filo, projects@neonet.on.ca or 705-360-1353 ext. 34
This grant is made possible with the help of Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.
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Business Technology Improvement Fund (BTIF)
Are you looking to enhance your website or social media, improve your business processes with hardware or software updates, improve your communications with guests implement and/or improve online services? Then the BTIF program is for you!
This program was designed allow a business to identify, invest, and implement technology to improve business, e-commerce, and applications. The Northern Ontario Connectivity Network Organizations will work with eligible small and medium-sized enterprises to help them define their technology objective and goals throughout the program.
The BTIF will provide eligible SME with access of up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding to support e-business development and solutions including: new and/or updated website designs; content management system (CMS) integrations; content/search engine optimization (SEO) development; digital marketing planning; e-business sales; custom software development; and back-office improvements.
The BTIF will also include a digital technology adoption component providing SME access of up to a maximum of $25,000 in non-repayable funding to support the purchase of digital technologies or services and new products, such as, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP); specialized design and production equipment; client relationship management (CRM); and other hardware and software technologies.
Participating SME will be required to contribute 50% toward project costs. Work undertaken prior to the date the application is received is not eligible for the program. Please contact your local ICTN for more details.
Eligibility
- Established Businesses operating on a full-time basis, with a valid Canadian Business Number, are eligible.
- Established seasonal businesses, such as tourism operations, are also considered eligible.
- Businesses must be located in one of the Northern Ontario Connectivity Networks catchment areas.
Here are some examples of potential eligible projects:
Website Projects:
- Website development
- Responsive website design
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Website Analytics
- E-Commerce
- Training on how to manage, maintain and update your website from your project vendor
E-business Software or Hardware Projects:
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The purchase of software and integration into existing business platforms (Adobe Pro, photoshop, Microsoft products, any program that you currently do not have.)
- Software solutions which connect online services to your business machines (connecting inventory or scheduling/booking software to your website or mobile application)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Mobile application development
- Point-of-sale hardware or software (such as iPads, Laptops, card readers
- Software training for maintaining and managing your software solution from your project vendor
Social Media:
- Consultations
- Research and strategic planning
- Account creation and optimization
- Training to execute your social media campaign project, including social media literacy, learning best practices, and effective campaign planning from your project vendor.
Technology Adoption Education
- Course fees
- Certification
Please note, eligibility requirements and eligible project types may vary slightly through each Northern Ontario Connectivity Networks. Contact your region's representative using the contact information listed below.
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NEOnet
MJ Filo
Phone: 705-360-1353 ext. 34
Blue Sky Net
Jerry Poliszczuk
Phone: (705) 476-0874 ext 213
Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network
Phone: 705-476-0874
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Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
Thunder Bay
Jeff Coull
807-768-6688
Kenora
Corey Jones
807-464-3665
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
PH. 705.942.7927
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TIAO Call - Tuesday May 18
Dear TIAO members,
This week we will only have one industry stakeholder call for everyone. The Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture will be joining us to discuss and answer any questions you may have about The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.
COVID-19 Tourism Industry Update Call
Tue, May 18, 2021 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 904-073-085
Thank you,
The TIAO team.
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Yamaha Motor Canada and Safe-Guard Products Canada Partnership Delivers Complete Powersports Protection Solution to Dealers
TORONTO, ON., May 13, 2021 – Yamaha Motor Canada today announced a partnership with Safe-Guard Products Canada, Ltd, the leading provider of private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine and powersports industries.
The program, launching July 5, enables Yamaha to provide a complete, branded protection product solution to dealers under the Yamaha Motor Protection Plan name. Products available include Credit Insurance, Bundle Loan Protection, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Tire & Wheel Protection, as well as a suite of products for off-makes. Additionally, Safe-Guard will support the Yamaha Motor Protection Plan program with an enhanced dealer support team, business development resources, complimentary retail training and branded marketing content, technology integration, and administration of the program.
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Great Ontario Getaway Giveaway
Looking to Participate?
If you haven't submitted an application yet, you can still do so. We've had a number of resource-based tourism businesses submit their packages for this program which highlight the great variety of unique experiences Northern Ontario has to offer! The contest will run until August so it's never too late to join in on the action. Please remember, awarded trips can be fulfilled in 2021 OR 2022.
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Get Your Safe Travel Stamp!
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created the Safe Travels Stamp which is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
NOTO's health and safety protocols, which have been vetted by the Government of Ontario have been recognized as standardized protocols for this purpose.
If you've implemented our protocols, or any other Government approved protocols throughout your workplace, apply to receive your stamp!
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Renew Your Membership or Join NOTO!
Great news! The NOTO Board of Directors is extending the early bird membership pricing for the remainder of 2021!
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Entry Level: $452.00
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Bronze:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Silver:
$734.50 NOW: $706.25
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Basic:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Bronze:
$779.70 NOW: $734.50
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Silver:
$1,367.30 NOW: $1,299.50
Prices listed above include HST. To renew your membership or to join NOTO, please click on the appropriate category link above to access the membership form. Completed forms can be printed and mailed to the NOTO office, or scanned and emailed to kate@noto.net or laurie@noto.net.
Thank you so much for your support!
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NOTO's COVID-19 Page
This page was created to keep you informed on the latest developments that may impact/help your businesses. This page features links to Government resources, information that may be useful to tourism operators and links to supports for tourism operators as they become available. This page will be updated regularly during this pandemic.
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Federal & Provincial Government Information
The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the buttons below.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners to continue our work. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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