Region 9 Regional Tourism Organization (RTO 9), South Eastern Ontario is seeking proposals from experienced consultants to advance the cycling product development and tourism potential in South Eastern Ontario.
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to engage a qualified consultant or firm to develop a comprehensive Cycling Development Strategy for the region. The strategy will assess existing cycling infrastructure, identify opportunities to enhance cycling experiences for residents and visitors, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen the region's position as a premier cycling destination.
The successful proponent will undertake research, stakeholder engagement, and market analysis to identify priority investments, infrastructure improvements, route development opportunities, product enhancements, and partnership initiatives. The resulting strategy will establish a clear roadmap for growing cycling tourism, increasing visitor spending, supporting local businesses, promoting active transportation, and enhancing the overall quality of life within the region.
This project will focus on the destinations within RTO 9 that were not included in the Destination Canada ON + QC Cycling Corridor Project (Cornwall, SDG Counties & Prescott & Russell), and it will be developed to align with the research, recommendations and outcomes of the corridor project. The project will build upon existing investments and planning efforts, addressing identified gaps while maintaining consistency with established cycling development priorities.
The end result will be a comprehensive regional cycling strategy/action plan that provides RTO 9 and their destinations with a framework to guide future cycling opportunities in South Eastern Ontario.
Project Overview
The successful proponent will:
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing cycling tourism assets, infrastructure, routes, services, experiences, and supporting amenities across South Eastern Ontario.
- Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan.
- Develop a comprehensive Cycling Tourism Development Strategy for South Eastern Ontario.
- Prepare materials demonstrating the economic value of cycling tourism and its benefits to local businesses and communities.
- Develop an actionable implementation plan outlining recommended projects, timelines, responsibilities, resource requirements, and potential funding sources.
- A comprehensive final report summarizing research findings, stakeholder input, recommendations, and implementation strategies.
Who Should Apply
We encourage proposals from:
- Tourism development consultants and firms with experience in destination planning and tourism strategy development.
- Cycling tourism specialists with expertise in route development, product enhancement, and cycling destination planning.
- Active transportation and transportation planning professionals with experience in cycling infrastructure and network planning.
- Economic development consultants with experience assessing tourism growth opportunities and visitor impacts.
- Recreation, trail, and outdoor recreation planning firms with expertise in cycling and trail-based experiences.
- Research and market analysis professionals with experience conducting tourism, visitor, and industry assessments.
- Stakeholder engagement and facilitation specialists experienced in working with municipalities, tourism organizations, businesses, and community groups.
- Multi-disciplinary teams that bring together expertise in tourism development, cycling infrastructure, market research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.
Ideal proponents will demonstrate experience in cycling tourism development, active transportation planning, destination development, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of practical, implementation-focused strategies and action plans. Experience working with tourism organizations, municipalities, regional partnerships, and cycling-related initiatives is considered an asset.
Key Dates
- June 12, 2026: RFP released
- June 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST: Deadline for questions
- June 23, 2026: Responses to questions issued
- July 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST: Proposal submission deadline
- Week of July 6, 2026: Proposals reviewed
- Week of July 13, 2026: Contract awarded
- Week of July 20, 2026: Initial meeting with Successful Vendor
Full project details, submission requirements, and technical specifications are available in the complete RFP document linked below.
For project-specific questions, please contact Bonnie Ruddock, Executive Director, RTO 9 - bruddock@region9tourism.ca
