ANNOUNCING THE TOURISM MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE

Assisting Indigenous tourism operators with mentorship and coaching to strengthen business operations and expand market opportunities.

In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport, Indigenous Tourism BC is pleased to announce the launch of the ITBC Tourism Mentorship Initiative.  This new program will provide the opportunity to receive direct coaching/support/mentorship services to ITBC new and existing Stakeholders. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to apply and define their own needs and objectives so that the most ideal consultant can be proposed for Stakeholder approval.  

As a result of ITBC’s Capacity and Resiliency Project, this new program is now available to assist Indigenous tourism operators with business operations and expand market opportunities.   Mentorship and coaching contracts will be available to Stakeholders for a period of 3-6 months.  

Apply here 

Objective

TMI is designed to support new or existing ITBC member Stakeholders to strengthen their tourism business in business development (business planning for loan start-up capital), business enhancement, marketing and promotion, or staff training.

Specifically, TMI will provide funding support to new or existing ITBC Stakeholders that plan to establish, enhance, or modernize their tourism business by hiring mentors/coaches that have the expertise in the specific needs that are required. ITBC has a list of expert consultants that are available to work directly with ITBC Stakeholders.

Criteria

• ITBC Stakeholder or in process of applying to become a Stakeholder
• Business registered and located in BC.
• 51% Indigenous-owned business.
• Business must provide an experience to the tourism industry and/or visitors

ELIGIBLE PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Business enhancement planning
• Business planning
• Strategic planning
• Market and promotional planning
• Human resource or strategic planning

FUNDING WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

• Completed application
• Summary of business, this may include historical financial performance, challenges of business operations in the past two years, market share, and opportunities
• Summary and description of mentorship expectations and deliverables

APPROVAL PROCESS AND FUNDING LEVEL

• Applications will be assessed and reviewed by the ITBC TMI Review Committee
• Approval amounts will be up to $25,000 per business and not more than $50,000 for a First Nation/Community owned business or individual that has multiple tourism business entities (approval amount reflects the amount to be paid to the expert consultants for their mentoring/coaching work)
• Applications will be reviewed based on date of completed application submission
• Funding dollars are limited; therefore, it is encouraged that applicants submit a full application at the commencement of program delivery.

Approval will be based on two main steps

• Approval of TMI project
• Approval of assigned mentor/coach

FUNDING CRITERIA

• The ITBC TMI Review Committee will also ensure that the assessment of all applications received are approved in an open, impartial, and fair manner, and if applicable, in compliance with conflict-of-interest guidelines.
• Review of applications will be based on batches in order of receipt. Full information on each application can be provided should the ITBC TMI Review Committee have any questions.
• For expedient review, approval, and disbursement, the approval process will be based on each application meeting main criteria:

1. 1. 1. Does the application clearly indicate a project description of how it plans to set up deliverables/objections of mentorship?
      2. Does the business show viability through submission of financial statements or projected financial statements?
      3. Is the ownership structure of the business at least 51% Indigenous-owned?

Apply here