Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Newsletter
Good Health And Well-Being
In recent years, health tourism has been attracting more customers. With the increasing awareness in improving health and well-being, more and more people seek a relaxing and appealing destination that has benefits for their body, mind and spirit.
This month we will highlight businesses' featuring work relative to SDG Three: Wellbeing, safety, and health. We will take a look at how they develop, promote and prioritize healthy tourism activities.
Good Health and Well-Being
In recent years, health tourism has been attracting more customers. With the increasing awareness in improving health and well-being, more and more people seek a relaxing and appealing destination that has benefits for their body, mind and spirit.
This month we will highlight businesses' featuring work relative to SDG Three:Wellbeing, safety, and health. We will take a look at how they develop, promote and prioritize healthy tourism activities.
Leaders in Biosphere
Highlights of businesses committed to the Biosphere Commitment Program
Covert Farm, Oliver
Covert Farm believes in healthy and experiential tourism practices and focuses on improving their ability to identify, prevent and plan for potential emergencies that threaten the farm and surrounding ecosystem. Their operation has adopted regenerative farming practices on 240 acres that will result in sequestering soil carbon which acts as storage for rain and irrigation water. It is estimated that their 30 acres of vineyards may be dry-farmed in 5 years’ time using these farming practices (no-till, growing plants at all times, mixed cover crops, soil cover, and livestock integration). They are also dedicated to “Farm to Table”. With the experience and passion of many hardworking hands, they are able to farm an abundant array of certified organic crops to nourish those who visit.
A View to Remember B&B, West Kelowna
A View To Remember B&B has a strong passion for the chemical-free, toxin-free cleaning system (ENJO) that does not require the purchase of any plastic bottles or cleaners. And with it being chemical-free, there is no chemical residue left on surfaces and no chemicals are being put into the water system. They are also dedicated to educating and selling this product to help people learn about the options for a sustainable cleaning environment for their home and family. In their suites, there are no single-use plastic utensils or dishes. They are also using the Smartklean laundry ball that eliminates the need to buy plastic bottles of laundry soap.
50th Parallel Estate Winery, Lake Country
50th Parallel Estate regularly review international best practices relating to winery and vineyard operations with their staff, to decrease their footprint on the environment. They annually focus more on sustainability in how they manage the vineyard, both through amendment programs, cover crop choices, bio-dynamic integration of beneficial organisms into the vineyard, and an overall commitment to being completely natural in wine making practice and organic vineyard practice in the next 5 years.
Global Biosphere Example
Aparthotel Miami Park, located in the heart of the coastal town of Calella, Spain committed to a more sustainable future by obtaining their Biosphere Commitment in 2017. They are proud to be part of this community and dedicated to their commitment in various ways.
They use special containers on each floor which allows each customer to separate plastics, glass, cardboard, and organic waste
They do not use chlorine in their swimming pool. It is cleaned through electrolysis.
Their outdoor lighting are LED, and they use drip irrigation for their garden which largely reduces the waste.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
There are many things we could do to protect our health and develop a healthy living environment.
1. For travelers - Travel with a basic health kit
A basic travel health kit is important no matter where you travel, as some medications may not always be readily available in some countries. Click here to review a list of medications to be included in your travel health kit.
2. For employers -- Keep your staff healthy
Health and safety are critical to all business practices. By implementing a framework to manage health and safety organizations can effectively prevent injuries and save time and money. Start the go2HR safety basics assessment today.
3. For businesses -- Promote and adopt sustainable practices
Reduce the use of chemicals (i.e cleaning products). Reduce the impact on air, water and soil. The Biosphere Eco-Efficiency program is the perfect first step.
Do you know about
Green Okanagan's Sustainability Social
Green Okanagan is getting together for green conversation this Feb 19th, 2020, at 6:30 pmatTourism Kelowna! This event is a gathering of like-minded individuals sharing a passion for sustainability and green movements in our community. Their Feb event has the theme of "Sustainable Tourism" where you will get to learn from GreenStep's Angela Nagy. Click "Register here" for more details.
Decent Work And Economic Growth
It is extremely important to pay attention to employees’ safety and well-being. TOTA in partnership with go2HR will be providing occupational health and safety assessments for Biosphere Businesses. Our partnership will provide:
- Occupational Health and Safety Overview Training
- Safety Basics Assessment
- Employer Consultation Meetings
- Foundation of Workplace Safety Training
- And many more added benefits
Leaders in Biosphere
Highlights of businesses committed to the Biosphere Commitment Program
Giro Okanagan, Kelowna
Giro Okanagan is a cycling tour provider that offers immersive and authentic experiences based on their deep understanding of the region and their own personal connections. They embrace sustainability by promoting cycling as the ideal way to explore the Okanagan Valley. They work towards achieving their sustainability targets by dramatically reducing single-use plastics and use locally sourced products whenever possible.
For 2020, they will expand their sustainability initiatives to include further training in Biosphere Adhesion targets for their guides and support staff. They will be introducing a Rider's Pledge for guests which will be aligned with Biosphere goals. The website messaging will be revised to stress sustainability initiatives more fully. They will expand the educational initiatives to include new self-guided options for both single day and multi-day tours that will provide guests with a further understanding of the Okanagan's unique cultural heritage.
Osoyoos Golf Club
Osoyoos Golf Club's restaurant and Pro Shop are wheelchair accessible. For the area out on the golf course they allow members with mobility issues to drive their golf carts closer to the tees and greens than is allowed in regulation. They also support local suppliers in sustainable tourism activities and services. For example, they consider seasonality and healthy food options on their menu in their day to day offerings. They also have a large riparian area that they strive to maintain and protect and keep their members informed.
Welcome Newly Committed Entities
Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort
Tantalus Vineyards
50th Parallel Estate
Seven Stones Winery
SDS 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent employment
It is extremely important to pay attention to employees’ safety and well-being. Unfortunately, as much we talk about workplace safety and well-being in daily life, it is still presents a serious challenge in Canada.
TOTA in partnership with go2HR will be providing occupational health and safety assessments for Biosphere Adhesion Businesses. Our partnership will provide:
- Occupational Health and Safety Overview Training
- Safety Basics Assessment
- Employer Consultation Meetings
- Foundation of Workplace Safety Training
- And many more added benefits
Stay posted for an upcoming release of the full program details!
Do you know SuperHost Service For All Program?
The “one size fits all” concept simply does not apply to the way the tourism sector's set expectations and practices around specific customer groups. It is extremely important for all employees, especially front-line employees to understand multiculturalism and practices around specific customer groups. Take go2HR's SuperHost Service For All Program to learn best practices around customers from various backgrounds and identities.