Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries to promote regional tourism activity in the area that is now branded as Kawarthas Northumberland. It was created through the Tourism Competitiveness Study completed in 2009. The purpose of Kawarthas Northumberland is to support a competitive and sustainable tourism industry, attract visitors, generate economic activity, and create jobs within the region that encompasses the City of Kawartha Lakes, the City and County of Peterborough, and Northumberland County RTO8 works with the existing tourism offices in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County and Peterborough & the Kawarthas who are each responsible for product development and marketing to tourism consumers within their areas. These offices are the lead agencies for local tourism within each of the three sub-regions of Kawarthas Northumberland. Each works in partnership with stakeholders to market and develop their respective sub-regions and provides strategic and practical support to develop and sustain Kawarthas Northumberland – RTO8 as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.