Central Counties Tourism is responsible for the strategic development and marketing of the regions of Headwaters, York and Durham as a visitor destination. Our mandate is to support our stakeholders in every way possible during this challenging time.
Please check back often for updated information, resources and new opportunities.
Marketing Opportunities with Central CountiesCentral Counties is working hard with our stakeholders to come up with new ways to market their products during the COVID-19 crisis. Whether it’s a virtual tour, online course, or a new innovative way to deliver experiences, we want to work with you to make it happen. Please contact your region field manager for information.
York region: Sandra Quiteria
Durham region: Eleanor Cook
Headwaters region: Emily Quinton
Resources for Financial ReliefThroughout the COVID-19 crisis Central Counties will endeavour to provide links to resources available that provide financial relief.
Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with dollar for dollar funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown.
Small Business Support GrantIf you are a small Ontario main street business seeking support to digitize your operations, register online for support through Digital Main Street. Funding is available through the Regional Recovery Relief Fund (RRRF) that provides support to help businesses, sectors and communities particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to recover and move toward a more stable future.
Digital Main Street Program2020 is one for the history books. Regardless of whether your business was shuttered for months, or able to stay open with modified operating procedures, you had to endure unbudgeted expenses at a time when money was already tight. Central Counties would like to offset some of those costs by offering to pay 50% of your expenses up to a maximum of $1,000 ($2,000 total expense). Plexiglass, sanitizing stations, masks, stickers, etc., that you needed to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 by keeping your staff and guests safe are all eligible expenses for reimbursement.
2020 PPE Reimbursement ApplicationBusinesses across southern Ontario unable to access existing relief measures can now apply for funding under new regional initiative.
FedDev Regional Relief and Recovery FundAccess support programs for individual and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Financial Support ProgramsBusinesses applying to Federal government relief programs are encouraged to register on the CRA My Business Account. This account will enable direct deposit of funds and speed up the process of receiving relief.
CRA My Business AccountAdditional investments provide support to financial institutions and allow them to quickly provide credit and liquidity options for a range of businesses. These measures are a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
Government Support for BusinessesThe WSIB financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020.
WSIB financial relief package
About COVID-19Get information on how to stop the spread, status of cases in Ontario and other up-to-date information specifically for businesses in Ontario. Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Get information from the federal level, including updates on the outbreak, symptoms and treatment, how to prepare, and travel advice. Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada.
WHO is providing updated advice and guidance for the travel and tourism sector to help protect their employees and address critical issues, concerns, and questions. Visit WHO’s Travel and Tourism Resources.
Industry Updates, Reports and ResearchPlease visit these links for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its impact on the Tourism Industry.
The industry has created a global standardized protocol that is a self-certification and internationally recognized symbol to allow travellers to recognize that your business has adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols so consumers can experience “safe travels.”
Register for the Safe Travels Stamp
During the COVID-19 outbreak, many of our stakeholders are getting creative by offering new and exciting out-of-the-box programs and product offerings, to ensure their businesses stay top-of-mind! Take a moment to breathe and discover what your colleagues are doing. Once you are inspired, have developed a great idea, or even if you want to brainstorm with CCT…we will help in any way we can! We are here to support you.
Check out our Featured Articles on YorkDurhamHeadwaters.ca
A resource guide from the ORHMA on tips and helpful practices for the restaurant and food service sector to create confidence in safe practices for guests and staff.
View Resource Guide from the ORHMA
The Safe Stay health and safety guidelines represent best practices for the hotel industry, in accordance with the Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines.
View The Safe Stay Health and Safety Guidelines
*New: Post-pandemic Playbook: Additional resources to help businesses on the road to recovery. Pandemic preparedness – helpful tips and tools to prepare for back to work: Pandemic Recovery-Return to Business Checklist (A self-assessment tool to assist you in ramping back to regular business operations); Pandemic Preparedness Checklist (A tool to set priorities, get plans in place and protect your people); Pandemic Awareness eCourse (Free online course for workers, supervisors and managers).
View More Resources from WSPS
We here at Central Counties will be pivoting our direction to meet our stakeholders’ needs as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds. Resources produced by our team to support you during this trying time will be posted here.
Providing support to our stakeholders both from a B2B and B2C standpoint is the reason CCT exists. Central Counties Tourism Covid-19 Current and Future Actions document outlines our current actions and the future actions will be taking as we move into recovery mode.
TIAO is the voice of tourism advocacy in Ontario. They are conducting province wide surveys of tourism businesses to measure the impact of COVID-19. Please review TIAO’s research results published here.
Visit TIAO's COVID-19 Advocacy PagePlease read TIAO’s “Immediate Impact Management Strategy” (PDF download)
A Framework for Reopening our Province lays out the government’s approach to the next chapter in the ongoing fight to defeat COVID-19. It outlines the principles the government will use to reopening businesses, services and public spaces in gradual stages.
Minister Lisa Macleod is holding tele-townhalls with tourism industry stakeholders from across the province. Please find links to the recordings of these townhalls below:
York Region has organized some of the most pertinent resources by key need areas identified by the local business community. York Region’s Economic Strategy team is committed to supporting the York Region business community during this crisis.
York Region COVID-19 Business Resources
Durham Region is offering resources and information for for businesses in Durham Region regarding government programs, services and supports available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit the Invest Durham Website
Destination Ontario provides information and resources to help tourism stakeholders be better informed for their business operations and activities. Meeting the demands and unique requirements of the tourism market requires being informed on the latest trends, reports and ideas. During COVID-19, its more important than ever to ensure you register your business with Destination Ontario.
Register your business with Destination Ontario
Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide: Along with local public health requirements, use this guide for planning for your venues and events. FEO has released a white paper regarding the Force Majeure clause in your insurance based on COVID-19.
Read about Force Majeure clause
Destination Canada markets Canada internationally. Their mission is to unite and empower Canada’s tourism leaders through compelling research, strategy and storytelling to drive the visitor economy. During the COVID-19 crisis, DC is providing ongoing support for tourism businesses via informative webinars, research, updates and industry guidance.
Visit Destination Canada
Are you a member of TIAC? Discover resources for Canadians and businesses in the tourism sector impacted by COVID-19. During this time, it is integral that the tourism industry comes together to support one another. TIAC is committed to representing Canadian tourism businesses in the face of uncertainty and continues to advocate on behalf of the industry.
Become a Member of TIAC
Get a worldwide perspective. WTTC provides advice for travellers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Visit the WTTC Website
In an update on the sector’s response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) offers a first assessment pointing to a decrease in international arrivals and receipts in 2020. UNWTO is responsible for ensuring tourism is an essential part of Government recovery plans.
Visit the UNWTO Website
If your business is located in Headwaters Region, your representative is Emily Quinton.
If your business is located in York Region, your representative is Sandra Quiteria.
If your business is located in Durham Region, your representative is Eleanor Cook.
© 2021 Central Counties Tourism.
