What We Do
“The key to successful tourism destination development is highly engaged communities that take an active role in shaping their collective future. The best destinations have engagement across a broad spectrum of tourism stakeholders; business, public, financial, political and a host of others, not just tourism and marketing entities.”
Regional Tourism Organization 4 Inc. (RTO4) was incorporated in October 2010 pursuant to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism’s request to create “an organization that will coordinate the diverse interests of the tourism industry to build and support a competitive tourism region through marketing and destination management.” Our region (Ontario Tourism Region #4) encompasses Huron County, Perth County, Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
RTO4 follows a ‘goal-strategy-measurement’ model to create, implement and assess the tools and tactics that are the most appropriate for growing the tourism economy in this region.
Region DNA
Ontario Tourism Region 4 encompasses Huron County, Perth County, Waterloo Region and Wellington County
Guiding Principles
RTO4 follows a purpose-built model based on a process of ‘goal-strategy-measurement’ to create, implement and assess the tools and tactics that are the most appropriate for growing the tourism economy in this region. The team operates on five guiding principles:
- Hygiene First – a critical focus on working with stakeholders to identify and fix those things that impede tourism growth
- Destination Network – a holistic view of destinations that engages multiple stakeholders in shaping a community’s collective tourism future
- Shared Story Brand – redefining brand in the modern media world as the sum total of shared stories and experiences about a given destination
- A relentless focus on the visitor experience
- Enabling Engagement – working with stakeholders to strengthen their ability to engage consumers
Destination Development Process
RTO4 Destination Development Process
Phase one – align and engage the Destination network:
- Destination Network – Identify and align a diverse group of Destination stakeholders
- Destination DNA – Develop consensus on the essence of a place and it’s people
Phase two – Collaborative Destination network projects focusing on DNA and Visitor Experience:
- Hygiene – Identify, fix and enhance physical and digital experience issues
- Animation – Create and enhance experiences that align with the DNA
- Storytelling – Increase the efficacy of DNA storytelling and amplification
Why We Unbrand Ourselves?
RTO4 is not a brand.
A look at the successes and failures of previous regional models in the province points to the fact that the umbrella branding of RTOs caused consumer confusion and friction with branded destinations and operators. Therefore, instead of consumer-facing assets, RTO4 focuses on using resources to enhance existing demand generators and amplify, disseminate brands within the RTO4 region that are provincially significant.
2023 RTO4 Partnership Program – Launch
Quick Links: Application Guide Application Form Frequently Asked Questions RTO4 is pleased to share our 2023 Partnership Program. This year [...]
New Sustainable Tourism Initiative with GreenStep Solutions
RTO4 has signed the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge to demonstrate our commitment to improving the sustainability performance of our destinations [...]
Supporting Elora Fergus Tourism – Workforce Development and Strategy Planning
RTO4, the Township of Centre Wellington and Elora & Fergus Tourism have worked as partners over the past several years supporting Elora & Fergus’ growth and development as [...]
2022-2023 RTO4 Year in Review
RTO4 is proud to share our fiscal year end review for 2022-23. The infographic depicts just some of the highlights [...]
2022 RTO4 Tourism Relief Fund Review
RTO4 is very proud to share the outcomes of the 2022 RTO4 Tourism Relief Fund. Congratulations to all of the [...]
ONTARIO’S HURON, PERTH, WATERLOO & WELLINGTON REGION (RTO 4) BECOMES THE FIRST REGIONAL DESTINATION TO BE AWARDED GREENSTEP’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CERTIFICATION IN THE PROVINCE
ONTARIO’S HURON, PERTH, WATERLOO & WELLINGTON REGION (RTO 4) BECOMES THE FIRST REGIONAL DESTINATION TO BE AWARDED GREENSTEP’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM [...]