Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2022-07-04

Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.

Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre is open for the season! Operated by TOTA, the Tourism Inspiration Centre is located on Highway 97C (Okanagan Connector), just outside Peachland and easily accessed when traveling east from Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, or Kamloops via Merritt. Typically, the Tourism Inspiration Centre welcomes over 45,000 visitors a season, offering excellent trip planning resources and services. We are proud to have a group of keen, knowledgeable Tourism Visitor Information Counselors who can assist in making your Thompson Okanagan experience outstanding by providing advice on activities, accommodations, events, and other regional information and updates. In addition to the valuable information and suggestions provided by the counselors, there are a host of brochures and guides available, directing visitors to: Events and Activities Maps Hiking and cycling trails Tourism guides featuring the best to do and see across the Thompson Okanagan. The retail shop offers a variety of snacks, clothing, and gifts, with many sourced from local producers and suppliers. The rest area has daytime RV and bus parking, as well as free electric vehicle charging stations. The centre recently installed solar panels to further TOTA's commitment to sustainability, and there is a newly constructed deck, with spectacular views of Okanagan Lake and a soon-to-be-opened covered patio. In addition, the Tourism Inspiration Centre will become the home of the Indigenous Artisan’s Trail (IArT) Venue, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about arts and culture in the region. The IArT Venue is available to rent to host public and private events. Due to the great location and high volume of visitors, the Tourism Inspiration Centre offers a fantastic opportunity for tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan to promote services and product through outdoor billboards, brochures, and on-site exhibits.  The Tourism Inspiration Centre provides a tremendous welcome to the region and is an excellent location for anyone to learn more about the region, and B.C. in general. Feel free to stop by to say hello to the Tourism Inspiration Centre team and share information about your tourism experience! To schedule a meeting with the team or inquire about promotion opportunities, email [email protected]. - The TOTA Team   Newsletter Contents Crisis Communications TOTA News News Highlights Upcoming Dates Resource Roundup Research Spotlight   Crisis Communications Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation. Register → TOTA News Fast Facts Thompson Okanagan Tourism Research Summary A roundup of B.C. tourism research to provide an ongoing snapshot of the tourism industry over time. Read More → TOTA Ongoing Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. Thompson Okanagan tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Energy Assessment to improve sustainability and reduce costs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email [email protected] for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business News Highlights Border Restrictions to Enter Canada Extended to Sept. 30 The federal government announced Wednesday all existing border restrictions to enter Canada will remain in place until at least Sept. 30. Learn More → Watch Recording of Destination Canada’s Annual Public Meeting On June 23, 2022, Destination Canada hosted their Annual Public Meeting, where the executive team reflected on the challenges and learnings of the past year and shared our forward-looking strategy, which focuses on the best opportunities to support the recovery and resilience of the tourism sector. Watch Now → Harbour Air Announces Summer Flights from Vancouver to Eldorado Resort Marina Flights resume on Saturday, July 9th and there are promotional rates as low as $299 all summer long. This seasonal service will feature one round-trip flight twice a week (Saturday & Tuesday) through September 6th. Learn More → Upcoming Dates Online Workshop: Preparing an Indigenous Cultural Tourism Strategy July 11, 2022 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Host: TOTA SOLD OUT Learn how Indigenous businesses can develop Indigenous Cultural Tourism experiences and how any tourism business can incorporate Indigenous tourism into their offerings. Submit Expression of Interest form to get future opportunities → Wine Growers Symposium & Industry Awards Ceremony Monday, July 11, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Host: Wine Growers BC, Canada, Ontario, & Nova Scotia Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) is co-hosting a virtual Canadian Wine Growers Symposium and Annual Awards Ceremony with high profile speakers addressing emerging political and market trends and impacts of the pandemic, followed by the Wine Growers Canada and Wine Growers British Columbia Industry Recognition Awards. Registration is complimentary for industry professionals. Learn More & Register → Destinations International Annual Convention Jul 19, 2022 – Jul 21, 2022 | 1:00 PM Host: Destinations International Learn More & Register → Market Research for Your Business Package Jul 31, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Small Business BC In this two-part seminar package, Small Business BC’s Market Research expert, Mark Eversfield will teach you the important steps of gathering both secondary and primary market research. You will learn how ask the right questions, collect key data, and interpret that information to help you make strategic business decisions. Learn More & Register → View Webinar Calendar → View Event Calendar → Resource Roundup BCHA Participates in Fully Funded Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Project BCHA has partnered with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) and Western Community College to offer a 23 week online “Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”. This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Okanagan area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry. Learn More → Pour More BC Program Wine Growers British Columbia is relaunching the Pour More BC program to support our local BC restaurant industry and connect you with consumers craving local wine and food experiences. Learn More → Research Spotlight Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns - Thompson Okanagan Research data created by Environics Analytics to help the travel and tourism industry understand the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Domestic Overnight Visitors within Canada. BCRTS Research Roundup Custom reports from the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) research program and highlights from a variety of sources including Destination Canada, Destination BC, Travel and Tourism Research Association, Destination Analysts, UNWTO, BCHA/STR, Destination Think, and Environics Analytics. Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada Unsubscribe Manage preferences