Tourism Accelerator Program
Presented by Tourism Golden, in partnership with Firecircle and eLearningU, the Tourism Accelerator Program (TAP) is designed to inspire, educate, and empower the next wave of tourism experience creators in Golden, BC. TAP provides the structured support to help you succeed, whether you're a local with an idea, a new resident eager to contribute to our visitor economy, or an established business wanting to branch out.
Through a combination of workshops, one-on-one coaching, peer learning, and access to expert mentors, TAP guides you through the fundamentals of tourism experience design, business planning, and launching a viable and sustainable visitor experience.
From guided adventures, wellness retreats or recreation learning programs to Indigenous experiences and team-building activities, this is your opportunity to contribute to the future of tourism and the visitor experience in Golden.
TAP into:
- Tourism Business Training
- Experience Design Coaching
- Tourism marketing & storytelling support
- One-on-one mentorship
- Tourism Golden marketing and asset development opportunities
Watch the recording of the information webinar held on August 27th 2025 below, or submit your application using the button below.
About the Program - Three valuable modules
1. TOURISM EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT (T.E.D.) PROGRAM:
● This intensive 3-day program provides a comprehensive and engaging approach to help participants envision, plan, build and deliver outstanding guest experiences that expand market reach while diversifying and strengthening their core businesses.
● Led by Deneen Allen, the founder of Firecircle, and her team of Ignite mentors and facilitators from across Canada, this program offers a step-by-step framework to develop financially viable product additions.
● Delivered through three, efficient and participatory virtual sessions, participants will engage in hands-on workshops, informative presentations, valuable discussions, and receive 10 hours of ongoing, personalised mentorship from a dedicated team of Firecircle Ignite coaches and facilitators. The workshops cover essential aspects such as market analysis, brand storytelling, operational modelling, physical design, and financial feasibility.
● You’ll leave this program with a fully planned and ready-to-implement, revenue-generating tourism experience and a repeatable template and process for producing more in the future.
2. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM COURSE:
● Learn from experts from around the world who will go beyond the need for sustainable practices to define the business opportunity and the ways that we can all take steps to develop, attract, and grow sustainable travel for our own businesses and destinations.
● Led by Jonny Bierman, a sustainable tourism writer, consultant, and marketer whose work has appeared in the pages of Conde Nast Traveller, National Geographic, Vogue and many others.
● Over 8 modules you’ll learn from expert guests who share their real-world experiences in building, developing and promoting sustainable tourism experiences.
● Guests include leaders from: PADI, Cayuga Collection hotels, Intrepid Travel, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Tomorrow’s Air and more.
● You’ll leave this course with a clear understanding of the sustainable tourism opportunity, and a plan to leverage what you’ve learned in your own business.
3. TOURISM MARKETING ACCELERATOR PROGRAM:
● You’ll be paired up one-on-one with a tourism marketing expert who will work with you to develop a plan to launch your new experience.
● Your coach will provide you with a professional assessment, a one-on-one coaching call, and a detailed implementation plan that you can follow.
● Each of our coaches comes with years of experience working with some of the most loved brands in the tourism industry, as well as businesses that are just getting started.
In addition to these three modules, participants who complete the full program will receive:
• $1,500 in marketing support from Tourism Golden
• Access to Tourism Golden’s subsidised Co-op Asset Creation Program
• A free listing on www.tourismgolden.com for the first calendar year following experience launch.
Valued at over $8,000, the Tourism Accelerator Program is fully subsidised by Tourism Golden and limited to 10 places. A refundable $1,500 deposit is required, which will be returned in full upon successful completion of all modules and program requirements.
What is TAP?
Brought to you by Tourism Golden, in partnership with Firecircle and eLearningU, the Tourism Accelerator Program (TAP) is a hands-on support program for aspiring tourism entrepreneurs in Golden. TAP provides the tools, skills, and mentorship needed to turn ideas into meaningful visitor experiences.
The Tourism Accelerator Program (TAP) is a hands-on initiative designed to support local entrepreneurs in launching new, adventure-driven visitor experiences in Golden, BC. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding a new branch to your business, TAP gives you the skills, tools, and support to build confidently.
Participants will gain practical insights and tools to create unique and memorable tourism experiences that align with their goals. These experiences should not only contribute to the growth of the tourism sector but also integrate seamlessly with Tourism Golden’s marketing and distribution strategy, and support their destination management goals to:
• Encourage visitation outside the peak summer season months (July and August)
• Promote regenerative tourism principles
• Provide inclusive and accessible experiences
• Reduce the environmental impact of tourism
• Educate and manage visitor behaviour (e.g. skills training or guided experiences)
• Encourage business collaboration to support a sustainable economy and a strong local supply chain
Who should apply?
Anyone in Golden or Area A with a tourism experience idea that aligns with Tourism Golden’s destination management goals. These experiences should not only contribute to the growth of the tourism sector but also integrate seamlessly with Tourism Golden’s marketing and distribution strategy, and support their destination management goals to:
• Encourage visitation outside the peak summer season months (July and August)
• Promote regenerative tourism principles
• Provide inclusive and accessible experiences
• Reduce the environmental impact of tourism
• Educate and manage visitor behaviour (e.g. skills training or guided experiences)
• Encourage business collaboration to support a sustainable economy and a strong local supply chain
Valued at over $8,000, the Tourism Accelerator Program is fully subsidised by Tourism Golden and limited to 10 places. A refundable $1,500 deposit is required, which will be returned in full upon successful completion of all modules and program requirements.
Who are the program module providers?
About Firecircle:
● Firecircle is Canada’s leading training organization and membership for tourism entrepreneurs. Along with award-winning digital resources, Firecircle’s point of differentiation is the expert, mentored guidance provided to its members and access to their connected community of hundreds of entrepreneurs across Canada.
● Firecircle’s foundational 5x5 MethodTM Program is the go-to for entrepreneurs looking to launch new ventures or take their existing tourism businesses to the next level. Other popular programs include AI for Tourism Program, and Tourism for All: Building Accessible Tourism Businesses.
● Firecircle's Tourism Experience Development Program follows a step-by-step approach the team has used for over 15 years to help Canadian tourism enterprises of all sizes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to plan, launch, grow and optimise their tourism and hospitality businesses.
● Find out more at https://www.thefirecircle.ca
About eLearningU:
• eLearningU is the premier learning platform for tourism leaders who want to build their skills in marketing and sustainability.
• Each course is developed to deliver practical, hands-on lessons that busy tourism professionals can use to benefit their businesses and their guest experiences.
• Over 2,000 tourism leaders have earned their certifications from eLearningU in tourism marketing, sustainable tourism and micro-certifications that deliver the skills that tourism leaders need to excel in today’s market
• eLearningU has partnered with destinations across North America, from Mississippi to the Yukon, to develop professional certifications that its graduates use to advance their careers as well as their organisations
• Find out more at https://www.elearningu.com
Key dates
AUGUST 27, 2025 11 - 11:30 pm - INFORMATION WEBINAR. Find out more and ask your questions. Use this link to join the webinar.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 - APPLICATIONS CLOSE.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 - Email notifications sent to successful applicants.
OCTOBER 8, 2025 - FIRECIRCLE WORKSHOP #1
OCTOBER 15, 2025 - FIRECIRCLE WORKSHOP #2
OCTOBER 22, 2025 - FIRECIRCLE WORKSHOP #3
What else do I need to know?
The Tourism Accelerator Program (TAP) provides to each successful applicant over $8,000 in value through education, mentorship, and marketing support. Participation is limited to 10 places.
The program is fully subsidised by Tourism Golden; however, successful applicants will be required to:
- Sign a participation agreement; and
- Submit a refundable deposit of $1,500.
The deposit is intended to confirm commitment to completing the program. It will be refunded in full once the participant has completed all TAP modules and program requirements.
Failure to complete the program requirements may result in forfeiture of the deposit.
How do I apply?
Apply online using this link.
I have more questions. Who can I contact?
For overall eligibility and general information, contact Joanne Sweeting, Tourism Golden Executive Director, joanne@tourismgolden.com
For questions specific to the Firecircle Tourism Experience Development Program workshops and mentor program, and the eLearningU Sustainable Tourism and Digital Accelerator programs, we recommend watching the recording of the information webinar held on August 27th below.