Manic Monday | The Golden Triangle no more...our Platinum Box is a reality

Many of you know that over the past two years TOTA has spoken often of the growing reality that the Thompson Okanagan region is a key area driving tourism into the province of British Columbia.  We have, in our conversations and presentations, suggested that the time has come to shift the mindset and the marketing messages away from the historical  "Golden Triangle" locations of Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler and expand to a four legged stool which we like to refer to as the "Platinum Box"; inclusive of the Thompson Okanagan.

Generating nearly $1.75 billion in direct economic benefit and hosting 3.5 million visitors annually, the communities of the Thompson Okanagan are no longer just a series of locations for summer sun and fun activities playing host to our lower mainland neighbors and friends from Alberta. It is quickly finding recognition as an excellent alternative for our international guests to explore; an exceptional area for meetings and conferences that can help drive attendance; and a region that offers guests the opportunity for a wide variety of  Remarkable Experiences.

Over the past 12 months alone we have seen such significant events as Go Media, Canada's West Marketplace, and TIABC, BC Hotel Association, and The Institute of Planners conferences and quite frankly the list goes on and the bookings continue to grow.

In recent months the region has received recognition in articles in Wine Spectator, Huffington Post, USA Today and other well respected publications which have ranked the region among the top 10 places in the world to visit. This past month "CBS this morning" included the region as one of 6 hidden gems to explore when traveling in the US and Canada this year. 

The platinum box moniker's time has come and all of us that work and serve this great tourism industry across the region should be very proud!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO