About RCO Tourism
Who We Are
Founded in 2016, RCO Tourism is a Metis owned and operated consulting business that specialized in the tourism industry. Based in Edmonton Alberta, we provide a wide range of business development and marketing support to small and medium-sized businesses. We take pride in delivering cost effective solutions tailored to the needs of the people we work with.
During his time as Marketing Director for Northwest Territories Tourism and as the Northern Coordinator for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), RCO has gained intimate knowledge of regional, domestic and international tourism markets and the Indigenous tourism sector. We have developed a suite of tools for tourism businesses to set themselves up for success.
RCO Tourism is well versed in the various funding programs that are available to help clients leverage their investments. As a private business owner RCO knows the challenges of operating a business and is keen to help businesses access the resources that are in place to help them achieve their goals.
Our Values
RCO Tourism is passionate about the tourism industry. RCO believes a strong, vibrant tourism industry is a vital part of the economy and plays a key role in the quality of life and overall well-being for everyone. Therefore, we are committed to helping the industry succeed, on tourism business at a time.
At RCO Tourism the word with do with tourism business and communities is grounded on a number of key values. First and foremost is Respect. At RCO Tourism we know that starting any new business ventures is no easy task and there is no shame in asking for help. Regardless of the level of assistance you need, whether it is registering your business name, applying for a business license, or writing your business plan, we are ready to roll up our sleeves, and help you achieve your goals.
As RCO Tourism we pride ourselves on being Resourceful. We know that there are a lot of costs associated with running a business and it is important to work efficiently to keep costs down. RCO Tourism focuses on providing affordable solutions for our clients that provide great value for their investment. Having worked in the tourism industry for over 25 years (both in the public and private sectors), we are well versed in the funding opportunities that are available and can provide key insights into target markets and offer strategic advice that will help you leverage your investments. We know that every dollar counts, so we will do our best to work with the budgets you have to help you achieve results.
RCO is fully Committed to the work we do for our clients. Whether we are setting up your financial systems, managing your social media calendar or developing your marketing plan, we ensure all materials are thorough, well organized, professionally designed and reflect your brand identity. Your success is our success. We are committed to helping you succeed.
At RCO we bring our Creative ideas to the table to help you set up your business in a way that makes you unique and stand out from the competition. With our intimate knowledge of the tourism marketplace, we can work with you to explore creative ideas that will attract visitors to your place of business.
At RCO we believe the tourism sector is full of Opportunities and that by working together the industry will thrive. Through our many connections in industry, we will help you to grow partnerships with other businesses to help diversify and strengthen your business, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
And finally, the dealings we have with the businesses we work with are based on Open and honest communication. If we feel it would be more beneficial for you to work with another agency, we will happily point you in the right direction. At RCO Tourism it is important that our clients share our values and that we are committed to working together.
SMALL IN SCALE - BIG ON DELIVERY
As RCO Tourism is a small company, we can offer personal service that is tailored to the needs of the clients we work with. Although we are a small company, clients of RCO have access to high-level strategic thinking, sound financial services and exceptional graphic design and website development services.
Meet Ron
Managing Your Business Needs
Ron C Ostrom - Is the owner and manager of the company. He oversees all aspects of the company and provides personalized, friendly service. He is committed to the growth and success of the tourism industry. Through his many years of working in the industry, RCO has built a reputation of a tourism marketing and experience development specialist.
From a business standpoint RCO has participated in trade shows and sales calls in a number of international marketplaces including the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia. Through these activities, RCO has gained valuable insights into these markets and has built an extensive network of sales contacts.
In terms of personal travel, RCO has had the privilege to travel to many exotic destinations including Jamaica, the Mayan Riviera, Costa Rica, Venice, Portugal, Spain and Morocco. RCO has viewed these experiences through the lens of a tourism professional, taking note of how experiences were developed and delivered and to share these key learnings with the tourism operators he works with.
RCO firmly believes that while owning a tourism business requires a lot of work, it should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience that enriches the quality of life of the business owner. At RCO Tourism we try to help you find that special balance as you work through the business development process.
Career Highlights
Education
Bachelor of Tourism Management from Malaspina University-College (now known as Vancouver Island University)
Work Experience
Marketing Director for NWT Tourism 2006 - 2016
Northern Coordinator Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) 2017 - 2020
Tourism Strategist - Outcrop (Part Time) 2017- Present
Career Highlights
Spearheaded the development and execution of NWT Tourism’s annual marketing plan
Established professional working relationships with key travel trade and media accounts in all domestic and international markets
Developed a comprehensive system of recording, tracking and managing NWT Tourism’s annual $3.2 million marketing budget
Acquired an additional $5 million for NWT Tourism through successful federal and territorial government funding applications
Successfully coordinated and delivered a variety of tourism training workshops
Took a leading role in the development of the 10-year strategic plan for the Yukon First Nation Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT)
Developed a number of business and marketing plans for privately owned tourism businesses
Processed a variety of funding applications through the Government of the Northwest Territories business development and tourism development programs
Took a leading role in the development of COVID-19 tourism recovery strategies for the Government of Nunavut, NWT Tourism and Travel Nunavut.
In his spare time, Ron enjoys going on long walks. Spending time in nature is the perfect way to recharge his battery and is the inspiration behind his many creative ideas.
Financial Services
RCO Tourism has enlisted the services of a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) to ensure the financial services offered by RCO Tourism are of utmost quality and meet industry standards. The CPA will oversee the work done to set up financial systems and ensure they meet all reporting requirements for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and for the various funders who are supporting your tourism project.
RCO Tourism can also work directly with the CRA to provide other financial services such as filing your payroll and GST remittances, and assisting in any review processes undertaken by the CRA for your organization. Annual income tax filing will be referred to a local tax accountant and RCO Tourism can assist in those processes.
Creative Design and Website Development
RCO Tourism is excited to announce we have formed a strategic partnership with Outcrop Communications. Clients of RCO Tourism will have access an extremely talented team of graphic designers and website developers for a variety of services including:
professional design of all strategic documents, marketing plans and business plans
brand development including logo design and brand identity standards
advertising creative
website development, hosting and maintenance
WHO WE WORK WITH
Whether you're just starting out or you have been running a successful business for many years, we all need a little help from time to time. At RCO we have the experience and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients. Here is a sample of some of the clients we work with.
New Tourism Businesses
Starting a new tourism business can be daunting. RCO Tourism can help you get your business licenses in place, set up your financial systems and plan and coordinate your marketing activities. We can also help you explore the funding opportunities that are available through federal and territorial programs that can help to support your financial needs. There are many key strategies to consider as you develop a successful tourism business. We are here to help. Contact us for more information.
Established Tourism Businesses
If you are ready to expand or diversify your business and are looking for ideas on how to accomplish this we can help. We can provide you with key insights into geographic markets, emerging tourism trends and help you explore ways to set yourself apart from your competition. With the help of our CPA we can work with you to analyze your current business model and to look at ways of maximizing your return on investment and focus on the long-term sustainability of your business.
Community and Economic Development Agencies
People responsible for economic development and tourism in their communities or regions are extremely busy. We can help you to make tourism businesses in your community/region a success. From providing strategic advice, helping businesses get set up with all licensing and financial requirements, to assisting with reports of the government funding they have received. We also offer a variety of product development and marketing workshops for small and medium-sized groups. Please contact us for more information.