Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) has hired two Peterborough residents well known in the local economic development community to lead key initiatives for the not-for-profit organization.
Joe Rees is joining RTO8 as the program manager for the Acceler8 program and Hillary Flood is RTO8’s sustainable tourism certification coordinator.
Based in Hastings, RTO8 is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to promote regional tourism activity in the area branded as Kawarthas Northumberland, which includes the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County.
Rees, who was previously director of tourism at the now-defunct Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), will be heading up Acceler8, a mentorship program for tourism businesses.
Acceler8 is designed to help business owners identify specific challenges to their growth and facilitate a structured coaching process with a skilled mentor with relevant business experience.
Flood, who was previously vibrancy manager with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, will facilitate GreenStep Destination Certification for the Kawarthas Northumberland region.
GreenStep Certification is a process that will help RTO8 assess its environmental impact, set meaningful sustainability goals, and enhance its role as a leader in responsible tourism. By earning the certification, RTO8 will demonstrate its dedication to sustainable practices and the long-term well-being of tourism in Kawarthas Northumberland.
Rees can be contacted at acceler8rto8@gmail.com and Flood can be contacted at greensteprto8@gmail.com.
