Tourism Market Readiness Program
Gain personalized support!
The Tourism Market Readiness Program provides one-on-one support to tourism businesses. If you're looking to strengthen operations and impact, this is your chance to benefit from a 360-degree review from a tourism readiness expert, who will then provide customized recommendations and one-on-one coaching based on your specific business needs.
Your digital presence, guest experience, inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility practices, as well as overall product-market fit, will all be assessed, to inform a customized, long-term action plan that will set you up for a new era of success.
What is Included?
The program incorporates several components designed to deliver a thorough review of your business, provide actionable recommendations, and ensure you are supported through the entire process.
Key Information
Who is the program for? This program is designed for visitor-facing businesses that want to make improvements to their operations, but don’t know where to start and need personalized guidance and support.
Value: The cost is subsidized from the original price of $4,600.
Investment: $2,000 all inclusive.
Possible Areas of Focus
There are multiple aspects that can be improved by participating in the Program including but not limited to the following.
Who will support you?
Terrilyn Kunopaski (call her Terri or TL!) has been in the travel and tourism space for 15+ years in various capacities. Through Tante Consulting, she is now helping tourism organizations and experience providers reach their potential, bringing a human- and community-centred approach to her work, and identifying how to achieve short-term results and long-term impact.
For culinary and agritourism operators selected to participate in the program, Terrilyn will be supported by Rebecca Gordon from the Culinary Tourism Alliance. Rebecca brings her experience training food businesses and tourism organizations to grow culinary and agritourism experiences. With 15 years in hospitality and tourism, she helps businesses identify their strengths and create immersive, memorable experiences that resonate with visitors and support long-term success.
The Process
Here's a full overview of the process and our mutual commitments included with your participation in the Program.
Initial Assessment
Each business will participate in a kick-off call to meet Terrilyn. Together you will:
Clarify expectations and what you hope to achieve by participating in the Program.
Identify business goals, your target market, and perceived challenges.
Have a conversation about your business and your "why".
Your commitment: 2 hour, virtual Zoom meeting in early November.
Visitor Experience Review
The team will review your entire customer journey, from the pre-trip experience (planning and research) to an on-location assessment. This 360-degree review gives us the insight we need to customize your subsequent, personalized coaching plan, and includes:
A thorough analysis of your business's online presence (including website, social media, and reviews).
An evaluation of booking ease, brand positioning, accessibility of information, and perceived value.
An in-person visit, to participate in your experience/enjoy your product from a guest perspective.
One-on-one interviews with key team members.
Your commitment:
Provision of relevant company documents to Terrilyn, as needed (i.e., brand guidelines, marketing plans, etc.).
Cover the cost for Terrilyn to participate as a visitor at your business.
Provide Terrilyn direct access to team members, as relevant.
Post-Visitor Experience Review Check-In
Once our review is complete, and before we move into developing your customized Market Readiness Plan, we'll touch base with you (and your team, if needed) to fill-in any gaps in our understanding.
Your commitment: 1.5 hours, virtual Zoom meeting.
Market Readiness Assessment & Plan
Each participant will receive a clear and actionable Market Readiness Assessment and Plan, developed based on findings from our review process. The plan includes:
Strengths, gaps, and priority areas for improvement.
A tailored list of recommendations and resources.
A roadmap for implementation.
This plan is meant to serve as a practical reference, even when the Program is complete.
Your commitment: An independent, in-depth review of your customized Market Readiness Assessment & Plan, within 1 week of receiving it. (2-3 hours).
Personalized Coaching
You’ll receive one-on-one coaching sessions, delivered virtually. Coaching sessions focus on:
Implementing the recommendations outlined in the Assessment & Readiness Plan.
Addressing specific business development or experience design goals.
Your commitment: 5 hours of virtual coaching sessions over the course of approximately 6 weeks in February and March.
Follow-Up & Final Reporting
The program will wrap up with:
A follow-up session to revisit goals and reflect on progress.
A final summary report that includes tailored next steps.
A one-hour check-in three months after the program is over.
Your commitment: 1 hour, virtual Zoom meeting, for Program wrap-up in March and 1 hour, virtual Zoom meeting, for three-month check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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This program is designed for visitor-facing businesses that want to make improvements to their operations and are comfortable with making the investment. From accommodators to tour operators, cultural attractions to culinary businesses, and everything in between, we're keen to support a spectrum of businesses.
Please know that this program is only available to organizations who operate within Southwestern Ontario (the boundaries of RTO1).
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Since there are few spots available, we want to ensure that businesses who will truly benefit and invest time into the program receive a fair opportunity to participate.
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To provide meaningful one-on-one support, the program is limited to a small cohort. A total of three businesses will be included in the program.
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You won’t need to travel to participate in the program. We know how busy your schedule is, so your commitments will primarily happen online aside from one in-person visit from Terrilyn, your primary contact, to see your business first hand.
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Your investment covers all expenses related to the program. The one exception is that if there is a cost for Terrilyn to fully experience your business (e.g., meal, entrance fee, etc.), we ask that you to cover those expenses.
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We will send you an invoice that can be paid by credit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
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We understand that this is a significant cost for many businesses. Please know that we have subsidized the cost as much as possible to ensure you have the opportunity to participate in a personalized program.
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You will find out by the end of October. Once the application period closes on October 13th, we will review all applications and notify everyone as soon as possible.
Apply to join the program!
