1. Requirements

• Partner Commitments/Requirements

  • Prohibiting discrimination based on any prohibited ground as listed in the Ontario Human Rights Code.

  • A commitment to customer service

  • Acting as ambassadors for tourism in Oxford County;

  • Participating in the local tourism activities and collaborate with other operators.

• General Business Eligibility

  • Must be open and operational prior to applying for a listing (exception hotels offering future bookings)

  • Maintain a good standing with all applicable business licenses, insurance and legislative requirements.

  • Must operate in Oxford County (exceptions can be granted for operators that support Oxford tourism priorities based on location and collaborative opportunities.)

  • Must be open to the public.

  • Operational for a minimum of 3 days per week for 12 consecutive weeks with the exceptions for farm markets (1 day per week), artisan galleries (set hours for a determined season) and tourism events.

• Market-Ready Requirements

  • Have a current website (2025 exception for Your Next Stop partners)

  • Active on one social media channel.

  • Set and posted dates and times of operation.

  • Posted prices for accommodations, tickets, admission

  • Year-round contact information (email and/or phone with voicemail).

  • If offering tours, share tour physical requirements and limitations for guests

  • Responsd to visitor inquiries within 48 hours.

  • Business signage on site (entrance, parking, open/closed).

  • Staffed operations (exception public spaces like trails, parks and historic sites).

  • Must update Tourism Oxford business listing (once approved) at least once per calendar year.

  • If listed on Google or TripAdvisor, own and maintain the listings and respond to reviews

2. Tourism Categories

Accommodations

• Hotels, motels, inns, B&Bs, short-term rentals, campgrounds.
• Fixed-roof must offer separate living quarters, a lockable room, and a private washroom.
• Your website must provide details about rates, the number of rooms or sites, and available amenities.

Artisans and galleries

• Focus must be on local goods produced in and unique to the region.
• Home-based galleries and shops must operate in a separate space with a separate entrance from the living quarters, and signage must clearly promote the primary focus of the space.

Attractions

• Gardens, farm amusements, games/gaming venues, casinos, drive-in/movie theatres, museums and historic sites, galleries and theatres.
• Culture, heritage, and historic sites must have planned visitor orientation and interpretation provided by staff, self-guided tours, interpretive signage and/or interpretive literature or multimedia.
• Spas with a focus on relaxation and wellness (not rehabilitation, hair or nail care)

Eat and drink operations

• Includes restaurants, wineries, breweries, cideries, distilleries, roasters, farmers’ markets, specialty food shops, and food & drink tours.
• Specialty food shops must offer Ontario-crafted, artisanal food items, where visitors can sample, purchase, and/or participate in tours to learn about the products.
• Craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries must be actively brewing or producing on-site and offer a walk-in storefront where visitors can sample, purchase, and/or participate in tours to learn about the products.

Oxford Fresh

• Are you a Farm producer, farm market or food production business featuring local ingredients?
  • Do you primarily supply locally grown produce (with a focus on Ontario, specifically Oxford). Do you recognize sourcing with signage?
  • Includes: Cheese & Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Honey & Syrup, Farmers’ Markets, Retail featuring local produce & products, Plants, Trees & Gardens, Artisanal & Specialty Shops and other manufactured Artisanal & Specialty goods (e.g., craft brew chocolate featuring local ingredients).
• You need a business website. An exception is made for businesses that purchase a listing on the Bi-annual print Oxford Fresh Map (optional add-on below).

Outdoor activities and tours

• Eligible categories include parks, trails, kayaking and canoeing, cycling, golf, sightseeing tours, water sports, winter activities, adventure activities, nature/sustainability appreciation, and fishing.

Retail operations

• Eligible retail operations include antiques, vintage, clothing and accessories, art, décor, giftware, artisan/crafter supplies, music, books, games, cycling and outfitters’ goods.

Support services operating in Oxford County

Services

• Transportation (bus, shuttle, tour bus, taxi, train, plane)
• Wedding venues
• Outfitter rentals
• Parks, trails
• Tours

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please do not proceed with the form instead, contact Oxford Tourism.