The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is conducting a survey to collect current information from Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses about the financial outlook for the coming year, 2024.
A summary of the findings will be presented in March to the TOTA board, Destination BC CEO, BC Ministry of Tourism, Art, Culture, and Sport (MTACS). Please complete the survey by March 7.
TOTA's 30th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, May 30 at Bighorn Golf & Country Club in Kamloops. The event welcomes staff from tourism and hospitality businesses to come together for an afternoon of mingling, networking, golf, and fun.
Registration will open shortly - stay tuned for the email announcement.
Sponsorship Opportunities - Limited Availability
TOTA is seeking additional sponsors to get involved with the tournament. For more information, email Golf@TOTABC.com.
Industry Presentations
At the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) conference in Victoria, TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews shared TOTA’s sustainability journey and the newly launched BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI), created in partnership with the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport, Destination British Columbia, Indigenous Tourism BC, and the regional partners: TOTA, 4VI, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Northern British Columbia, Kootenay Rockies, and Vancouver, Coast, and Mountains.
As well, Ellen took part in a round table on Sustainable tourism in the central interior of BC at the Livable Cities, Collaborative Communities Sustainability Conference at Thompson Rivers University, with Darcy Alexander, Court Edeburn, Anne Terwiel, and Lisa White.
The Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC supports grants for community-based initiatives that create and shape meaningful outdoor recreational and nature-based experiences for people in BC. The expected application period will run from late March to April 2024.
TOTA is seeking tourism business owners and operators to share knowledge and insights in the study From panic to planning: Advancing tourism resilience through big data and smart destination practicesby participating in a short one-on-one interview in February to April 2024.
To schedule an interview, please contact Scott Peters at Scott_Peters@SFU.ca or +1-778-878-2557
Federal funding has been announced to support wineries facing economic challenges. Applications to the program open on April 8, 2024.
Wine Growers of BC Town Hall Sessions Address Wine Industry Concerns
The Wine Growers of BC (WGBC) have held sessions involving industry stakeholders to discuss the recent climate events in December 2022 and January 2024 and the resulting crop loss. You can learn more about the feedback and input on potential mitigating options for assistance from the government from the Penticton Town Hall Recording.
The Tourism Industry Association of BC's (TIABC) Annual Advocacy Report Card showcases the organization's initiatives, efforts, and achievements of the organization from January to December. TIABC invites you to read their report and connect with them at info@tiabc.ca for questions, comments, or recommendations on TIABC’s direction or priorities, as well as any other issues affecting your business.
The World Tourism Organization has changed its name and brand to UN Tourism. With this name change the organization has reaffirmed its status as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism and the global leader of tourism.
BCDMOA has changed from the BC Destination Marketing Organization Association to the BC Destination Management Organization Association to reflect their recognition of the DMO's role in destination management. BCDMOA has also released a refreshed mission statement: “To advocate for BC’s community destination organizations on areas of common interest and elevate our members through the sharing of knowledge, best practices, tools and resources.”
The Real Estate Institute of British Columbia is hosting their annual awards ceremony in Kelowna on June 27 and is looking to commission a local Indigenous artist to create four medals representing the excellence within the Real Estate Institute and strengths of Indigenous peoples in the BC interior.
If you are an Indigenous artist from the interior region and are interested in submitting an expression of interest or examples of your work for consideration, please email sharona@reibc.org.
Residents of British Columbia are asked to share their input on the proposed changes to hunting regulations until March 22, 2024. Join the discussion and offer input to as many as 50 regulations such as adjusting season start and end dates, length, and restrictions for motor-vehicles.
Sharing the Destination
Featured Photo
Christina Lake Sunset. Credit - Allen Jones
Have a great photo for a TOTA newsletter or social post?
Early detection of fires is key for taking action. The SenseNet rapid wildfire detection system is a ground-breaking approach to wildfire safety, creating a comprehensive system for prevention, management, and potentially integrating solutions for extinguishing fires.
In 2024, Predator Ridge will have SenseNet and over 100 sensors, 5 gateways, and 5 cameras installed providing a network of safety around the entire perimeter of the community. Learn more →
.png?upscale=true&width=500&upscale=true&name=Tourism%20Outlook%20Survey%20(1).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=TOTA%2030th%20Annual%20Golf%20Tournament%20-%20Bighorn%20Golf%20%26%20Country%20Club%2c%20Kamloops%20(4).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=FORTIS%20BC%20(1).png)
