Manic Monday | Resilient, Committed and Determined to Grow
This past week, more than 200 stakeholders took the time to join us in Osoyoos for the Annual TOTA AGM and Summit. It was encouraging to see every area of our region represented and inspiring to realize the resiliency of our tourism industry and operators. Both 2018, and in turn 2017, presented our industry in many parts of the Thompson Okanagan with difficult challenges, challenges that ranged from natural disasters; in the form of floods and fires, to air quality and smoke concerns, highway closures and even the aftermath and fall out of cross-province politics.
In the past few days following the Summit, many in the media have been asking what our industry is doing or planning to do overcome the effects of these events in the future. Our response has been unwavering; our long-term success and sustainability as an industry and our continued position as the #1 economic driver in this region, rely solely on our ability to create new product and experiences that extend visitation outside of the traditional 45 days. This priority, which has been the focus of our attention since the launch of the regional strategy in 2012, has resulted in the visitor economy now extending to 110 days with our long-term goal to achieve 200+ days in the years to come. We cannot control Mother Nature, nor can we predict when fires and floods may occur anymore than we can anticipate rain or snow volumes. What we can continue to do is to adapt our product offering and promote the breadth and depth of experiences available in this region throughout many months of the year. The Thompson Okanagan will always be known as a place to enjoy summer sun and fun, however it is so much more. As we grow and expand our story, we will continue to grow and expand our industry!
This is a strong and vibrant industry with an incredible future. Working and listening to all of those in the industry and those that have been through difficult times over the past few years it is so encouraging to hear the continued determination to build a world-class tourism industry in this region. There is no question the strength of this industry is in the people and they continue to show they are Resilient, Committed and Determined to Grow.
In this regard, I would also like to introduce you to your new TOTA board for 2018/19. We welcome and congratulate each of these individuals who have generously given of their time as well as all of those that let their name stand.
Meet Your Board
Frank Antoine – Chair
Michael J Ballingall – Vice Chair
Christine Latimer – Secretary / Treasurer
Bryan Pilbeam – Past Chair
Kathrin Von Andrian
Don Brogan
Erik Fisher
Glenn Grant
Lyndie Hill
Kevin Howlett
Brad Pelletier
Steve Rice
Thom Tischik
Andy Schwaiger
Liz McKinney
Beverley Desantis
Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO
