Manic Monday | From Impossible to Possible
When the Thompson Okanagan's 10 year Regional Strategy, "Embracing Our Potential" was completed in 2012 there were a number of foundational pillars outlined that most of you have heard me speak of many times. Key to the basis of the strategy included reducing seasonality through the development of core themes, elevating our first nations tourism products, identifying iconic products that make our region unique, focusing on the travellers desires for personal growth and authenticity, and all of this underpinned through a "Charter of Sustainability".
As we came to the end of this year’s annual AGM and Summit held last week in Kamloops it was apparent that, while there is still much work to be done, many of the strategies we all committed to in 2012 have not only been implemented but are moving forward quickly and are now strongly supported by both stakeholders and government.
Not the least of these strategic efforts, last week the Thompson Okanagan Region received prestigious Biosphere Destination accreditation as a Sustainable Tourism Destination in keeping with the 17 goal areas as outlined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Thompson Okanagan through this process has become the first destination in all of the Americas to achieve certification with the official presentation having taken place in Kamloops on November 1st, followed up with an announcement at the Legislature in Victoria together with our Honourable Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture Lisa Beare on Friday November 3rd. A brief video of the announcement can be found at https://totabc.wistia.com/medias/bu29xh07t7
Thank you to everyone that attended, presented, or in anyway assisted in the success of last week’s AGM and Summit and with the achievement of this certification. It was truly an exciting week for our region and the support and encouragement from each of you as we move forward with what sometimes appear to be impossible goals provides our team the strength and determination to not only take the business of tourism very seriously, but to constantly strive to ensure this region is poised for a long term sustainable future.
Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO
