Lakehead, Collège Boréal, and Destination Northern Ontario Partner to Sponsor Fall 2026 Tourism Micro-Credentials

Destination Northern Ontario (DNO) is excited to partner with Lakehead University and College Boreal to sponsor several seats in the upcoming Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS)/Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) micro-credential Fall 2026 cohort.

The program covers northern Ontario’s tourism industry, products and marketing, marketing strategies, equity, diversity and inclusion, and international tourism protocols, giving tourism professionals and community advocates practical knowledge to help grow the industry.

Both courses are available online and require a weekly commitment of four hours, which can be completed at your own pace.

Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (OPTIS) - Six weeks
October 19 to November 23, 2026
Registration Fee: $750

Northern Ontario Professional Tourism Industry Specialist (NOPTIS) - Seven weeks
October 19, 2026 to November 30, 2026
Registration Fee: $800

To best support tourism in northern Ontario, DNO will be looking to prioritize NOPTIS seats when possible. NOPTIS is the full OPTIS course plus the module covering northern Ontario. Destination Northern Ontario is sponsoring 12 spots in northern Ontario. Sponsorships will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and will end once the allotted contribution by DNO has been made. For those who live, work, or own a business in northern Ontario, full sponsorships will be granted, with a $250 deposit provided by the participant, that will be refunded fully upon completion of the course. For those from outside northern Ontario, partial sponsorships of $450 will be granted.

To apply for sponsorship in the Fall 2026 OPTIS/NOPTIS course, please complete the expression of interest form: https://tourismexcellencenorth.fillout.com/t/6d6jSZ4XZGus

For more information, contact communications@destinationnorthernontario.ca.