Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary

Jul 26

Written By Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

The view from Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna. Photo Credit: TOTA

All of us in the Thompson Okanagan and the Province of British Columbia want to give a major shout out to the amazing work and bravery of our wildfire crews, working day in and day out for weeks to battle fires.

These individuals, on the ground and in the air, are working in extreme conditions of heat, smoke, and difficult terrain in order to keep our communities, businesses, residents, and visitors safe.

If you are near a wildfire area, please stay informed about the changing conditions and stay out of the way of those teams working on the ground or in the air.

For regional updates and resources, go to the ThompsonOkanagan.com - Know Before you Go page, which is updated on an ongoing basis.

We know this is a challenging time for many tourism businesses who have just entered Step 3 of the B.C. Restart Plan and in need of a busy season to recover.

We invite Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses to register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database and also to share your current experiences so we can inform government of the evolving situation, such as:

Are you receiving cancellations that are due to concerns (real or perceived) with the wildfire situation?
Are your customers expressing concern about their plans and whether or not to continue their vacation?
Are your customers proceeding regardless of the wildfires and smoke, but changing their itinerary as the situation evolves?
Are you facing any other crisis related challenges?

Feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com with any information on the following questions and other concerns.

- The TOTA Team

Recent News Highlights

Featured

Aug 5, 2021

go2HR’s B.C. Labour Market Survey

Aug 5, 2021

Even before COVID-19, the tourism and hospitality industry faced significant human resource challenges. We know those challenges are only increasing as we emerge from the pandemic. go2HR is responding to these challenges by undertaking an ambitious labour market research project.

As part of the study, go2HR is asking tourism employers to participate in the following 25-minute survey. They need to hear from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of BC. Take go2HR’s B.C. labour market survey and be entered in a draw for prizes valued at $1,500!

Aug 5, 2021

Jul 28, 2021

Support Tourism Workers in Need Through the BC Hospitality Foundation Online Raffle

Jul 28, 2021

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is half way through hosting its first-ever online 50/50 raffle, with the jackpot is sitting at $2,390. The raffle will increase with every ticket purchased above and beyond until sales close on August 16th 2021. Help BCHF reach $5,000 this week. The winner takes half!

Purchase tickets online

Jul 28, 2021

Jul 22, 2021

Resource Roundup | Emergency Wildfire Resources

Jul 22, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program advisors continue to support tourism business operators in the region and are available to provide 1:1 support and plans for moving forward.

We know this is a challenging time for many tourism businesses who have just entered Step 3 of the B.C. Restart Plan and in need of a busy season to recover.

Jul 22, 2021

Jul 21, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Names New President & CEO

Jul 21, 2021

Michael J Ballingall, Board Chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, has formally announced the appointment of Ellen Walker-Matthews as the CEO of the destination management organization.

Jul 21, 2021

Jul 20, 2021

FireSmart Community Funding & Support

Jul 20, 2021

Applications are currently being accepted for the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program, which provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire.

Jul 20, 2021

Indigenous Community Business Fund

Jul 20, 2021

Indigenous Tourism BC in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the Aboriginal Financial Institutions in BC are once again delivering a Tourism and Hospitality Fund through the Indigenous Community Business Fund. This fund will provide non-repayable grant contributions to First Nation owned businesses and micro-businesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Jul 20, 2021

A Need for an Accommodation Plan in B.C.

Jul 20, 2021

Emergency Management BC is asking people in wildfire-affected communities to plan their accommodations, in the event of an evacuation order, in advance to help ensure capacity for evacuees who need hotel rooms. If possible, the best option would be to arrange to stay with family or friends, so commercial accommodations have capacity for evacuees who have no other option. If you are under an evacuation order, you can self-register with ESS online.

Jul 20, 2021

Changes for Travellers Entry to Canada

Jul 20, 2021

Effective August 9th, to be eligible to enter Canada, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents must have received the full series of a vaccine - or combination of vaccines - accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada.

Jul 20, 2021

BC Provincial State of Emergency Declared

Jul 20, 2021

The B.C. government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to support the provincewide response to the ongoing wildfire situation, based upon the recommendation from the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC. The declaration will be in effect starting July 21, 2021 and will be in effect for 14 days once issued and may be extended or rescinded as necessary.

Jul 20, 2021