Tourism Innovation Partnerships (TIP) Program

The program's goal is to foster, stimulate and encourage the development of saleable or market-ready tourism products and experiences. These would respond to market demands and trends as indicated by market research or intelligence. A Tourism Innovation Partnership or, TIP, is:

a partnership established and led by tourism industry stakeholders who pool their resources to achieve the program’s objectives in partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).

CTC's role in TIP

The CTC:

• contributes matching funds to the TIP against cash contributions by industry partners for eligible activities;
• makes payments on the basis of completed, agreed-upon deliverables or projects;
• provides information sharing opportunities by hosting an Annual Meeting of TIP leaders;
• provides information and references to existing success models outside of the program; and
• supports product testing by bringing in appropriate CTC sales staff and/or select trade.

The CTC does not:

• engage in business, community or partnership development activities for TIPs;
• provide training in tourism business operations to TIPs;
• develop business plans for TIPs; or
• interfere with the overall management/administration of a given partnership.

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is not open to a single individual or business or organization.
• The proposed TIP must be an industry-led partnership of tourism industry stakeholders that include SMEs.  Partnerships may also include but are not limited to: industry associations, tourism organizations, and the public sector.  Former TIPs may be considered under certain conditions.
• Strong partnership development is expected prior to submission, therefore, proponents must have industry partners ready to support the project and ready to make a financial contribution.

Eligible Activities

Proposed projects must include activities from the list of eligible activities listed below.

• Proposed projects must be sustainable and, ideally, adaptable by other regions and provinces and territories, and should support the CTC’s vision and mission.
• Proposed projects must clearly lead to the development of a saleable tourism product with links to delivery systems into the marketplace in 24 months.
• Proponents must prepare a 3-year business plan that shows product testing within 18 months and product sustainability in the marketplace after 24 months.

Summary

The Three Phases

Phase I - Product Development
The objective for this phase of the Program is to use existing market research and intelligence to create or enhance product that will respond to specific market segment needs.

Phase II – Testing (within 18 months)
The objective for this phase of the Program is to test the product and ensure that it responds to the demand identified.  With the help of the CTC, the TIP will host a select group to test the product.

Phase II - Marketing Transition
The objective for this phase is to act on recommendations from Phase II and to position the TIP for launching the product with CTC support for certain sales components.

Direct-to-Phase II and Accelerated to Phase III
It is also recognized that there exists pockets of near-market ready product in Canada that lack the incentive and resources to come together to attempt market entry.  In response to this concern the TIP program will consider direct entry into Phase II. While priority would be given to those completing Phase I, where funds allow, “Direct to Phase II” candidates may be asked to submit proposals.  Products confirmed as market-ready may be fast tracked to Phase III activities. The length of such agreements would be a maximum of 12 months.

Ontario Contact(s):
See National Contact.