How to Start an Eco-Tourism Business in Ontario

This guide is designed to help you navigate through federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that apply to starting a business in the eco-tourism industry in Ontario.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Basics To Getting Started
2. Industry Overview
3. Regulations
4. Financing
5. Associations
6. Other Resources   

1. Basics To Getting Started

Starting a business can be a rewarding undertaking, but it comes with its challenges. Before starting a business in Ontario, it is wise to do your research. There are several issues to consider such as regulations, financing, and taxation, managing your business, advertising and much more.

For further information:
see the documents:

• Business Start-Up Info-Guide
• Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide
• Taxation Info-Guide
• Employment Regulations Info-Guide 
• Business Regulations Info-Guide 

2. Industry Overview

"The word ecotourism comes from the words “ecology” and "tourism," an appropriate summary of the underlying principles. Although there are several definitions of ecotourism, all of them share the fundamental values of respect for nature and social awareness. Because of this, ecotourism activities take place with the greatest respect for the environment, culture and inhabitants of the region visited."

Source: " Ecotourism: Enjoyment and Respect " from Culture.ca

Ecotourism, sometimes referred to as ecological tourism or sustainable tourism, is ecologically and socially conscious and often focuses on local culture, nature, wilderness, animals, plants and cultural heritage.

As there is no specific certification for ecotourism operations in Ontario, the term ecotourism is often mistakenly applied to tourism businesses that simply exist in natural areas or are only related to nature, but may actually harm the surrounding environment.

Ideally, a business that is involved in ecotourism should increase environmental knowledge, promote biodiversity, showcase local plants and/or animals and minimize a tourist's environmental foot print or impact.

While environmental concerns and impacts are often associated with ecotourism, ecotourism should also deal with cultural and social issues.  Minimizing impacts on local populations, creating local employment, and offering an authentic tourist experience that is integrated with local culture should also be concerns of ecotourism operations. For instance, an ecotourism business would provide accommodations that are integrated into the community through guest houses, instead of building a large hotel.

Tourism Business Info-Guide

The Tourism Business Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that may apply to individuals and businesses starting to a business in the tourism sector in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document: Tourism Business Info-Guide

Sustainable Tourism : A Research Web Site

The web site focuses on providing information related to the tourism industry, topics pertaining to sustainable development and green management.

For further information:
call 506-648-5868
visit the web site:  Sustainable Tourism : A Research Web Site
see the document:  Sustainable Tourism : A Research Web Site

3. Regulations

This document will assist you in navigating federal, provincial and municipal regulations that apply to a number of industries and businesses.

For further information:
see the document Business Regulations Info-Guide

Travel Industry Act

The Ontario Travel Industry Act requires that travel retailers, travel wholesalers or anyone involved in these activities, such as tour operators, be registered by the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.

For further information:
call 1-888-451-8426
visit the web site:  Travel Industry Council of Ontario
see the document:  Travel Industry Act

Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch

As part of the Ontario Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch provides 'one-window' service for regulatory environmental approvals for the province.

For further information:
call 1-800-461-6290
visit the web site:  Environmental Assessment Activities - General Information
see the document:  Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch

4. Financing

Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide

This document is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs available to individuals starting a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document:  Financing for Starting a Business Info-Guide

5. Associations

• CITAP - Canadian Inbound Tourism Assosiation (Asia Pacific)
• Tourism Industry Association of Canada
• The International Ecotourism Society

6. Other Resources

• Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism
• Ecotourism: Enjoyment and Respect
• Ecotourism: the Way to Travel
• Green Key Eco-Rating Program
• Green Ontario - Tourism Should be Green
• Communication and Sustainable Tourism
• The Sustainable Tourism Resource Database
• Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association

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Need more information?

Click: Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Call: 1-800-567-2345
Visit: our Regional Access Program Locations page to locate an office near you

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Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.

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• List of Fact Sheets
• Tourism Business Info-Guide
• Business Guides

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.