Dear Partner in Tourism,

September is here, but London’s busy tourism season is far from over. With events, festivals and visitor activity continuing throughout the month, there’s still plenty happening across the city as we head into fall.

This edition of the Industry Newsletter highlights resources, funding opportunities and training that can help you develop your business, events and visitor experiences.

Here’s what you’ll find in this edition:

Make Your Events More Sustainable

Tourism London, in partnership with Racing to Zero, is proud to introduce the London Sustainable Event Hosting Resource Guide.

Developed specifically for event organizers in London, the guide brings together practical advice, best practices and local examples to help organizers incorporate more sustainable practices into their event planning and hosting.

Sustainability doesn’t have to mean making major changes all at once. Even small steps can make a positive difference. From selecting more sustainable venues and suppliers to exploring food recovery programs and carbon offset opportunities, there are options for events of all sizes.

Explore the London Sustainable Event Hosting Resource Guide

Build Your Next Visitor Experience

Have an idea for a new visitor experience but aren't sure how to turn it into something market-ready?

Ontario’s Southwest is offering an Experience Development Course designed to guide participants through the process of developing an experience from the initial idea through to a finished concept that is ready to market.

The course is open to anyone interested in creating a visitor experience, and no previous tourism experience is required.

Participants will take part in:

• Two in-person experiences
• Regular online sessions to share ideas and ask questions
• Pre-recorded lessons
• Guided activities that contribute to a final experience plan
• One-on-one coaching
• Learning opportunities with experienced hosts and guest speakers

The course is hosted by Joanne Wolnik and Emma Rowley from Ontario’s Southwest, with additional guest speakers. The cost is $375, all-inclusive.

The course also includes practical learning around experiential tourism and experience design, including understanding the visitor journey and developing experiences that are engaging and memorable.

Interested in developing a new visitor experience?

Learn more and register for the Experience Development Course

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

Looking to invest in or improve a local sport and recreation facility? The Ministry of Sport is now accepting applications for the 2026 Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

The fund supports communities across Ontario with new and revitalized sport and recreation facilities, including projects that improve accessibility and help meet local community needs.

The program offers two funding streams:

Stream 1: Repair and Rehabilitation

Funding between $100,000 and $1 million is available to extend the lifespan of existing sport and recreation facilities and spaces, while improving programming and accessibility.

Stream 2: New Builds/Signature New Builds

Funding of up to $10 million is available for new, transformative sport and recreation infrastructure, including new assets or the replacement of facilities that have reached the end of their lifespan.

Who can apply?

• Municipalities
• Local services boards
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous communities and organizations
• For-profit organizations (Stream 2 only)

Application deadline: Tuesday, December 22, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.

If you’re considering a project, be sure to review the full program guidelines and connect with your local Regional Development Advisor before applying.

Read the full program guidelines for Stream 1 and Stream 2 that cover important information on drafting your application.

London to Host OMCA Marketplace 2027

We’re excited to share that London, Ontario, will host the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) Marketplace from November 1–3, 2027!

This is a great opportunity to grow group and motor coach tourism in London, bringing new visitors and business to our accommodations, attractions, restaurants and tourism experiences.

With London preparing to welcome group travel buyers and motor coach operators in 2027, now is the time for local tourism businesses to learn more about this market and get involved.

OMCA Marketplace 2026 takes place November 2–4 in Waterloo Region and is the best way to learn how the group travel market works, connect with buyers and operators, and start building relationships ahead of London’s turn to host in 2027.

Interested in getting on board?

Learn more about OMCA Marketplace 2026

Ontario leaves a lasting impression – FIFA World Cup 2026™

New FIFA World Cup 2026™ visitor research offers an interesting look at how the tournament moved visitors beyond Toronto and into destinations across Ontario.

According to new research 25% of overnight visitors travelled or planned to travel elsewhere in Ontario, averaging 3.5 nights outside Toronto.

London accounted for 4% of the Ontario destinations visited by these travellers.

The research found that visitors who stayed overnight outside Toronto spent an average of $5,222, compared with $2,721 for those staying overnight in Toronto only.

The FIFA World Cup may have been centred around the matches, but its tourism impact extended well beyond the stadiums.

Please share any updates from your business with us by emailing tourinfo@londontourism.ca or by tagging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

FOLLOW US