Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2021-12-27

As 2022 draws near, the TOTA team wishes you a happy new year!

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, As 2021 comes to a close, we hope you found time to enjoy the holidays with family, friends, and colleagues. It’s been a challenging year but, overall, the tourism industry has made progress towards building forward better. New connections and partnerships were formed, many Canadians discovered - and rediscovered - the Thompson Okanagan region, and we are more resilient than ever. As 2022 draws near, we wish you a happy New Year! Each of the TOTA team members shared what they are looking forward to this coming year: "2021 has been a year of many challenges for tourism and the world as a whole. I am grateful for the dedicated tourism professionals that I have been privileged to work with to assist our industry and for the support of my family and friends. My wish this holiday season is that you had the opportunity to spend time with family or close friends and that their presence will bring you the comfort and strength to help move you through whatever lays ahead in the New Year." - Ellen Walker-Matthews, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) "I look forward to strong economic growth and continued collaboration on being a leader in responsible tourism practices." - Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development "I'm looking forward to exploring even more throughout the region and meeting people in person and I wish everyone hope and joy through another challenging time. All the best for 2022!" - Kelly Galaski, Managing Director, Symphony Tourism Services “I look forward to exclusive, cultural, and experiential tourism to be a part of building more exclusive experiences that will be tailored for guests, community, and culture, thus creating a more inclusive tourism industry." - Jamie Bourne, Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor "In the coming year, I look forward to connecting with tourism professionals, online and especially in person. I'll continue looking for ways to support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and I know that by working together we can overcome the challenges, and bring joy to our visitors and communities." - Chelsea McGonigal, Communications Specialist / Board Liaison "I am looking forward to the growth in sustainable tourism initiatives and partnerships to continue to support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry." - Amy Kneller, Sustainability Experience Coordinator "I am looking forward to creating a community of sustainable tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan by establishing the Biosphere Commitment Program as an incubator for tourism stakeholders in our region to embark on their respective sustainability journeys and begin aligning every department activity with their chosen Sustainable Development Goals to create their sustainability plans and begin tracking their progress. The Biosphere Commitment Program will help us create stronger tourism stakeholders who will have a higher resiliency to endure situations like the pandemic and establish themselves as the future pillars of the tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan." - Kavan Vijayakumar, Event & Industry Relations Specialist "I look forward to continuing to celebrate and share the incredible tourism businesses throughout the region in 2022!" - Jenna Labossiere, Consumer Communications Coordinator "I'm looking forward to seeing international travel try to return to the levels previously seen by our region and how that volume is enriched with newly implemented and mastered operations that came forth from the pandemic." - Darnel St. Pierre, Digital Marketing Coordinator “I am looking forward to less COVID and extreme circumstances. I'm hopeful!" - Donna Sellin, Senior Executive Assistant "For 2022, I am most looking forward to co-creating a vibrant and resilient tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan, with sustainability at the core of our work." - Kaitie Worobec, Director of Destination Stewardship "We look forward to all of the resilient tourism businesses being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and welcome back both domestic and international visitors to the region. The funding that has been made available to enhance our outdoor offerings for trail use, mountain biking, and hiking adventures, as well as accessible trail use will be highly promoted for visitors in 2022!" - Barbara Bonnough, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre & TOTA Training Centre Manager "I am looking forward to more tourism companies joining the Biosphere Commitment Program and demonstrating their commitment to the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals to the world." - Eve Layman, Destination Stewardship Coordinator "I am most looking forward to supplying our industry with research and analytics to aid in their recovery efforts and to experience the many amazing things our region has to offer." - Shelby Campbell, Research Specialist, Symphony Tourism Services "I look forward to continuing to support the tourism businesses in this beautiful part of the world in which we live, work, and play." - Rob Grifone, Travel Trade & Media / Crisis Management Coordinator "I look forward to exploring more, and hopefully bringing friends and family along to enjoy the many adventures offered in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan." - Chyan Lloyd, Financial Controller "I am looking forward to connecting with many more stakeholders in the new year and supporting you with your key accessible features - creating environments and experiences that are inclusive to everyone." - Sonja Gaudet, Regional Access & Inclusion Liaison "I can't wait to see how strongly we rebound after COVID. I'm very excited to see international travellers back, in one of the greatest places on earth." - Jeff Bourne, Tourism Inspiration Centre Ambassador "I am looking forward to seeing the partnerships with Indigenous leaders and communities come into fruition. It will be wonderful to see the industry reflecting and becoming more inclusive towards the traditions and cultures of the First Nations all over B.C." - Amber Rabe, Administrative Coordinator "I am looking forward to the tourism industry getting back on track and doing what it does best." - Alison Steward, Office Manager Note: The regular newsletter will return when the TOTA office reopens on January 5, 2022. If you are feeling uncertain, feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com so we can provide support as soon as we return. 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, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2021-12-20

Updates on COVID-19, highway reopening, industry messaging guidance, and winter travel toolkit.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, As we reflect on 2021 and look forward to new opportunities in 2022, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association team sends you our warmest holiday wishes. We hope you find moments of joy, relaxation, and reflection this holiday season. The past two years have brought many changes, challenges, and key learnings for many of the tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region and our partners. As we move forward together we continue to work with many partners to provide you with new opportunities, resources, and advocacy efforts to support the tourism industry in 2022 and beyond. Reflecting on the past year, TOTA team members shared messages of appreciation and gratitude: "2021 has been a year of many challenges for tourism and the world as a whole. I am grateful for the dedicated tourism professionals that I have been privileged to work with to assist our industry and for the support of my family and friends. My wish this holiday season is that you have the opportunity to spend time with family or close friends and that their presence will bring you the comfort and strength to help move you through whatever lays ahead in the New Year." - Ellen Walker-Matthews, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) "I am grateful for all the amazing tourism businesses in our region and their unwavering commitment to providing excellent products and services." - Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development "I appreciate how much everyone cares about one another and supports local stakeholders within the region. It's been so needed to get everyone through and will continue to be. We are so fortunate that the communities and businesses offer so many wonderful things to see and do throughout our vast region that we can enjoy supporting each other through local travel!" - Kelly Galaski, Managing Director, Symphony Tourism Services "I have been reminded of what the tourism industry and the people in the tourism industry are made of. I have gained a greater understanding of what is most important in our lives. I am honoured to be part of building back a stronger tourism industry." - Jamie Bourne, Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor "This year, once again, I am inspired by the resiliency of tourism professionals in the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry. I'm grateful for the dedication of tourism leaders, who continue to take on and overcome challenges for the benefit of our communities, now and in the future." - Chelsea McGonigal, Communications Specialist / Board Liaison "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our tourism stakeholders in the Thompson Okanagan region on their sustainable practices through the Biosphere Commitment Program." - Kavan Vijayakumar, Event & Industry Relations Specialist "The Thompson Okanagan has proven to be a region of resilient tourism operators throughout the pandemic." - Rob Grifone, Travel Trade & Media / Crisis Management Coordinator "I'm grateful to see how our team and other tourism stakeholders have been able to support one another through the rollercoaster of 2021." - Amy Kneller, Sustainability Experience Coordinator "The Thompson Okanagan tourism industry is the heart of the economy, in one of the greatest industries in the world." - Jeff Bourne, Tourism Inspiration Centre Ambassador "I appreciate how resilient everyone can be through the challenges." - Alison Steward, Office Manager "I am very grateful that even through this entire pandemic I have still had the ability to do and see the many great things the Thompson Okanagan has to offer. There are immense amounts of outdoor recreation that you are still able to do while keeping safe." - Chyan Lloyd, Financial Controller "I appreciate the grit and determination that Thompson Okanagan tourism stakeholders have demonstrated over the past year and their "never-give-up" attitude, despite facing numerous challenges." - Kaitie Worobec, Director of Destination Stewardship "I am grateful for those travellers who stopped in to see us at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre and knowing there were many local residents who supported the industry as best they could during a very challenging year! All of the travellers that we met were in good spirits and happy to be able to experience the region and support tourism businesses." - Barbara Bonnough, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre & TOTA Training Centre Manager "I appreciate the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry's resiliency. We live in such a beautiful part of the province, and the pride of our region is apparent in the work that we do. As a newcomer to this industry, it is amazing to see everyone stand together to support each other." - Donna Sellin, Senior Executive Assistant "Thank you to many of our stakeholders who have made accessibility a key priority - ensuring that full participation is possible for everyone to enjoy and experience what you have to offer." - Sonja Gaudet, Regional Access & Inclusion Liaison "The Thompson Okanagan is a leader for tourism, with a wide range of sustainable tourism opportunities. I am grateful to be able to live in a community with so many wonderful people and businesses who are committed to sharing this beautiful place with others." - Eve Layman, Destination Stewardship Coordinator "I am grateful to work in an industry full of amazing people and am constantly in awe of our stakeholders, their resiliency, creativity, and compassion for one another." - Shelby Campbell, Research Specialist, Symphony Tourism Services "I appreciate the continuous resiliency the Thompson Okanagan Tourism industry never fails to show and am so grateful to be apart of this community." - Jenna Labossiere, Consumer Communications Coordinator "I'm grateful for the resiliency displayed by the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry over the course of this year. It's been a difficult year for most businesses but seeing the perseverance displayed by many stakeholders is inspiring." - Darnel St. Pierre, Digital Marketing Coordinator "I love how so much of the industry is centered on the land and nature. From wineries, to parks, camping and cultural events, I really think it describes the people of the Thompson Okanagan and the goal towards sustainable tourism." - Amber Rabe, Administrative Coordinator Note: The TOTA office is closed from December 20 to January 4, 2022. However, if you are feeling uncertain, feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com so we can provide support as soon as we return. News Highlights Coquihalla Hwy Reopened for Commercial Traffic The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) has reopened between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only following a month of extensive repairs, well ahead of the previously announced timeline. Effective today, Highway 5 is available to commercial vehicles with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms. With most commercial vehicles moving to Highway 5, travel restrictions will be lifted from Highway 3 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, allowing the route between Hope and Princeton to be used for non-essential travel. Travel restrictions have also been lifted from Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet. However, vehicles over 14,500 kilograms GVW are still not permitted on this section of Highway 99. When travel restrictions are lifted from Highway 3 and Highway 99, these routes become available for general use. For drivers travelling these highways, the ministry urges preparation and patience. Drivers can expect delays and congestion and are encouraged to consider alternate options or avoid highway travel unless necessary.   Travellers are reminded to visit the DriveBC website for updates on BC road conditions and advisories. Visit DriveBC for Updates → View Announcement → New COVID-19 Measures Introduced in B.C. for Holiday Season Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry delivered an announcement that included revised orders aimed to address the rising COVID-19 cases. This order takes effect on Monday, December 20, 2021, and will be extended through to January 31, 2022. Highlights of the extended measures include: limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated; requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events; seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated; limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code; pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed. In addition to the provincial health orders, British Columbians are also reminded to follow the travel advisories issued by both the federal and provincial governments this week that include avoiding all travel if not fully vaccinated and to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. View News Release → View Current Restrictions (The revised Public Health Orders have not yet been published. They will be linked on this page when published) → TOTA Chair on CBC's The Current | Dec 20, 2021 Today, on The Current, Matt Galloway spoke with Michael Ballingall, senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort and the chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, about what the highway’s reopening means for the tourism industry. Listen to Recording → View Transcript → Business Resources Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated December 16, 2021 B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Download Winter Travel Toolkit → Read More → Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated December 16, 2021 B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Download Winter Travel Toolkit → Read More → Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10, 2022 The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will: increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or support the revival of local economies through in-person events. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Read More → Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship Program - Apply by January 31, 2022 Women in B.C. with a desire for training in the culinary, beverage, or hospitality fields are invited to apply for Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Scholarship Program to receive partial funds to an educational institution/course of their choice. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, ability, commitment, and passion, and may range in value anywhere between $1,000 – $2,000 depending on funds available, program requirements and approved applicants. Apply by January 31, 2022. Scholarships will be awarded in March 2022. Read More → Webinar Roundup Upcoming webinars and recent recordings for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses. Read More → Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business Get Involved BC Hospitality Foundation Holiday 50/50 Tickets on Sale Support the B.C. hospitality and tourism community by purchasing tickets to the Holiday 50/50 Lottery benefiting the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF). This licensed lottery is being promoted ONLY to the local hospitality and tourism community, so someone in or related to industry will be the big winner! Funds will support industry workers in a time of need. Ticket Package Options: 5 for $10 20 for $20 150 for $40 Purchase Tickets → Holiday Shopping with the BC Hospitality Foundation The BCHF receives funds from a variety of corporate initiatives initiated by friends and colleagues in the hospitality industry, including partial proceeds from product sales. By purchasing these products, you can support the supporters and help boost the BC economy at the same time! Read More → Research Spotlight Fast Facts Thompson Okanagan Tourism Research Summary A bi-weekly roundup of B.C. tourism research to provide an ongoing snapshot of the tourism industry over time. 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, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of December 13, 2021

Updates on winter travel toolkits, highways reopening, COVID international travel advisories, air travel, grants, and other resources.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, On December 15, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation announced a new plan for highway reopening: The plan is as follows: Monday, December 20: Highway 5 – will reopen to commercial traffic. Monday, December 20: Highway 99 – the essential travel restriction from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet is expected to be lifted. The vehicle weight restriction of no more than 14,500 kg will remain. Tuesday, December 21: Highway 3 – the essential travel restriction between the junction of Highways 5 and 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3 will be removed 24 hours after Highway 5 opens. We know that with the holiday season upon us, residents around the province are anxious to gather with family and this can mean travelling to and from the Interior. Those hoping to travel in the coming weeks for non-essential reasons can consider travelling on Highway 3 by car or regional bus service, or by air. Many airlines and bus services have added capacity to help people move around the province. Provincial associations have prepared guidance documents to support industry and travellers, including the Destination BC Winter Travel Guide and a Winter Travel & Recreation Toolkit to assist tourism operators in informing residents and visitors alike of the current rules, recommendations, and expectations for travel in B.C. As well, the Government of Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have developed an air travel infographic to assist travellers with a better understanding of what is required when both arriving and departing the airport. TOTA will continue to compile official announcements on the TOTA News Centre, including resources for businesses and the Thompson Okanagan Know Before You Go page for visitor information. - The TOTA Team Industry Guidance Documents Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Read More → DBC Messaging Guidance for BC's Tourism Industry - How to Travel in B.C. This Winter On December 9, Destination BC published a guide to help industry navigate winter travel questions among the latest entry requirements and road closures. The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves. Read More → Border Measures for Air Travel Infographic The Government of Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have developed an air travel infographic to assist travellers with a better understanding of what is required when both arriving and departing the airport. Through direction from government, airport officials will be conducting COVID-19 testing for all fully vaccinated passengers arriving from an international destination at YVR with the exception for those coming directly from the US. This will be in addition to a number of existing travel requirements already in place at airports. The arrivals test is paid for by the Government of Canada. Read More → Resource Roundup Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10 The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will: increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or support the revival of local economies through in-person events. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Read More → The Forum Virtual Program for Women Entrepreneurs in Tourism | Apply by January 6 for January 2022 Sessions Women in tourism can apply for a free virtual program tailored specifically for women-led tourism business managers and entrepreneurs. Developed by The Forum and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, the program will provide expertise and resources to support women in tourism January 13 and 20, 2022. Applications will be accepted until January 6 or until all available spots have been filled. Read More → Create a Profile on the BC Marketplace by Small Business BC The BC Marketplace helps small businesses to connect with new customers, especially BC-based audiences. Businesses are welcome to create a free listing, which helps to builds online presence and provides marketing exposure. Created by Small Business BC to support small businesses, the BC Marketplace is made possible with the support of the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. Read More → Webinar Roundup Upcoming webinars and recent recordings for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses. Read More → Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs 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 International Travel Advisory Update As of December 15, the federal government has reintroduced the advisory warning travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally due to the rapidly circulating Omicron COVID-19 variant. The advisory will remain in place for at least four weeks and then be re-evaluated. The government is also going to further expand its on-arrival testing and isolation rule which so far is only being randomly applied to air travellers. The government has said it will be made universal to all air travellers outside of the United States, but hasn’t said when that will happen. Read More → The Provincial State of Emergency Extended to December 28, 2022 The order restricting non-essential travel on highways 3 and 99 will remain in place until highways open. The Province allowed the order limiting non-essential fuel use in the Lower Mainland to expire at the end of the day on Dec. 14, 2021. Public Health Order (PHO) Distinction for Business Events The BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group has successfully received a distinction for business events in the latest provincial health order. This is relevant because now business events are allowed as standing events. Networking, receptions, and mingling are all acceptable. Holiday parties associated with businesses are considered “business events.” This distinction in the health orders is a big step in the right direction. Read More →   B.C. Fairs, Festivals, Events Benefit from Recovery Funding People throughout B.C. will be able to enjoy more arts, culture, sports and community occasions as the Province supports more than 680 events, including 131 in the Thompson Okanagan region, such as: Interior Provincial Exhibition - agricultural exhibition and fair in Armstrong Canada Rock Fest - Music Festival - Grand Forks Bass Coast Festival - Merritt Merritt Rockin' River Fest - Merritt IRONMAN Canada - Penticton - Penticton Salmon Arm ROOTS and BLUES Festival - Salmon Arm The BC Bike Race - Penticton Rock The Lake - Kelowna SilverStar Bike Fest - Silver Star Resort Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games - Vernon Spartan Race Kelowna at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan - Penticton2022 Canada 55+ Games - Kamloops AltiTunes at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna Snowbombing - Sun Peaks And more... Read More → Tourism Industry Association of Canada announces MOU with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This represents a concrete collaboration between these two national organizations. The MOU is to work collaboratively and coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities, supporting the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. ITAC and TIAC will work together to share and develop knowledge, complementary expertise, and market intelligence. Read More → Get Involved Survey | Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region Flood & Road Closure Impacts TOTA has created a survey to better understand challenges faced by Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses and to help connect businesses to available resources. Responses will be collated to provide anonymous insights to government as to what resources are required to support industry through recovery. Take Survey → Survey | Support Systems and Emerging HR Practices Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) and Tourism HR Canada have developed an eight-minute survey survey to better understand support services available across the country, as well as any innovative practices tourism businesses are implementing to mitigate workforce shortages. The findings of this survey will help to recommend where investments in products or services could/should be made in order to build a toolkit that will help employers or communities address workforce recovery needs. Take Survey → Read More → Research Spotlight Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns - Thompson Okanagan, January 1- November 28, 2021 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. Thompson Okanagan Visitor Highlights - October 2021 Baseline visitor analysis to help industry understand visitation and plan strategically to attract visitors. BCRTS Research Roundup - November 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. Read Past News Stories 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, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Webinar Roundup | Week of December 13, 2021

Webinars and training on digital marketing, content systems, storytelling, leadership, and more.

Note: This is the final Webinar Roundup of 2021. Webinar Roundups will return in January 2022. Happy holidays! Upcoming Webinars & Events Week of December 13, 2021 Are We Done Yet? Mental Health Challenges at the End of the Year Tuesday, December 14, 12PM - 1PM Hosted by: Canadian Mental Health Association BC & BC Crisi Line Network The months leading up to the end of the year can be not so jolly for many British Columbians -- especially as we continue to navigate new ways of gathering and celebrating.  If you’re having a not so jolly end of the year and this is a hard time for you, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Behind every British Columbian is a network of agencies that together provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week support for wherever you find yourself. We call it a continuum of care and support you in areas such as crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and long-term mental health support. Join Asha Croggon (Crisis Lines Network), Jonathan Morris (CMHA BC) and Ivana Bilic (Crisis Centre of BC volunteer) as they update British Columbians on the free, accessible support and services available across BC. Register Now Burnout & Recovery Wednesday, December 15, 10AM - 11:30 AM Hosted by: Canadian Mental Health Association Burnout…it can manifest from experiences of high stress, leave us feeling exhausted, and perhaps stuck in unhelpful habits that stall productivity and creativity. In this workshop, learn about the components of burnout, and experiment with a Solution-Focused 3-step plan of action to assist in recovering from, and preventing burnout in the future. Learning Outcomes: Recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout List the elements of burnout recovery Orientation to a solution-focused 3-step plan of action to combat burnout Register Now Digital Marketing in 2022 Wednesday, December 15, 11:30AM - 12:30PM Hosted by: Community Futures North Okanagan Why do people love what you have to offer and tell their friends? What are the best channels to help spread the word? What insider tips do marketing professionals use to inspire action? In this workshop, uncover the potential of your business’s story and how to make the most of your digital marketing efforts to help achieve your desired results. What will you learn? How to craft a compelling business story The best digital marketing tools to reach your audience Hacks to leverage traction and garner results Marketing your business during unique times Tips for building a marketing strategy and maximizing your budget Register Now Preparing Content for Intelligent Systems Thursday, December 16, 11:00AM - 12:00PM Hosted by: eLearningU Microcontent will open new channels for our content while improving delivery across existing channels. The path to intelligent microcontent is the next step in our journey in structured authoring. AI-powered cognitive content solutions perform best with content designed to be read by humans and processed by intelligent technologies. To deliver the right answer to prospects and customers, you need to optimize your content production approaches and begin crafting content with the precision humans appreciate and technology requires. Explore and understand the challenges, unknowns, and possibilities with microcontent. Register Now Upcoming Webinars January 2022 Digital Marketing Tips for 2022 - Top 10 DIY Lead Generation Tools for Your Business Wednesday, January 12, 2022 10:30AM - 12:00PM  Hosted by: Small Business BC As agile small businesses, we are constantly learning new ways to adapt to an ever-changing world. Some of these include emerging digital marketing and lead generation trends to help us reach more customers. Join Digital Marketing Expert, Ted Lau as he shares valuable DIY tips for digital marketing in the new year. Ted is the owner of an award-winning digital marketing agency, Ballistic Arts Media Studios. Ted will cover SEO, e-commerce, social media platforms, and more. What Will You Learn? How to effectively target top funnel keywords into leads How to improve online purchase experiences from prospective customers How to engage with your leads authentically on social platforms What it means to be "meta" and what you need to watch out for in 2022 To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034. Register Now Storytelling Learning Series  Wednesdays, January 19 - February 2, 6:30PM - 8:00 PM Hosted by: Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna What is your story? Stories change the world. Stories compel us to action. Stories warm us, soothe us, and teach us. A good story earns us a second interview, a second date, and the loyalty of staff, friends, and family. Your daily experiences and your biography are filled with meaningful, memorable story-worthy moments which make our experience deeper and more meaningful. Join this series of in-person workshops to learn story structure, the art of listening, and the power in telling a warm, beautiful, compelling story. Registration for this three-week workshop is $30 (plus GST), and includes all three sessions. The series runs Wednesdays, January 19-February 2, 6:30-8:00 PM. Register Now How to Bring Clarity and Coherence to Your Team - Aligning Strategy, Leadership, and Focus Friday, January 21, 2022 1:00PM - 2:30PM Hosted by: Small Business BC Somewhere along the path of launching and running your business is a stage where you take a step back to set a coherent, clear, and consistent path to bring into alignment what you think, how you lead, and how your team works. Learn how to develop an effective team perfectly aligned with your company’s vision and goals so they can clearly and proactively solve the right business problems with maximum impact. What Will You Learn? Develop a clear vision that guides you and your team’s decision-making Lead with respect and concern for all team members that demonstrates appropriate compassion Deliver results and enhance the strengths of your team members to achieve key objectives Focus your team’s energy and time on the right tasks To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034. Register Now Past Webinars The Best Free Social Media Tools for Tourism Hosted by: eLearningU We're in an amazing time for marketing - tools are popping up every day to help us to create better content, schedule, monitor and engage with our audiences. However, with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to select the right ones for the job. In this fast-paced session, Deanna Wampler will cut through the noise to share the specific tools that she's been using in her work building one of North America's most powerful Indigenous tourism brands, and the ones she's been recommending to her clients. View Recorded Webinar How To Create a Month of Content in 1 Hour Hosted by: eLearningU In this workshop, Karlyn Ankrom, a successful marketing agency owner, speaks about the importance of creating a social media calendar, how to set it up and how to use it to create a faster track for not just creating content but publishing it as well. She will also will show you what you need to do to get all your social media content for the next month brainstormed, created, and implemented -- in just one hour! Karlyn will walk you through the system she uses with her clients to build social media strategies that make sense, brainstorm buckets of content ideas (And how to repurpose them!), capture creative content in record time, AND define 'don't miss' metrics to inform your next month's content creation session. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and finally have your social media running, instead of it running you, this is the session to step into! Prepare to leave this session with actionable and tactical content that you can create and deploy over the next month! View Recorded Webinar Facebook Advertising for Tourism Hosted by: eLearningU Facebook Ads are now a core component of many digital marketing and social media campaigns -- but are you getting the best results possible from your ad strategy? Facebook ads are now the second biggest advertising platform for businesses online -- and for good reason. Facebook ads are extremely effective and affordable. Businesses can get started quickly and spend as little as a dollar a day. Participants will learn: How businesses are using Facebook advertising Setting clear ad campaign objectives Creating valuable content that engages your audience Applying advanced targeting options to reach the right audience at the right time Optimizing your ad campaigns for improved results Leveraging video in Facebook ad campaigns How to setup Custom Audiences to increase reach Integrating efforts with Instagram Tracking and analyzing results View Recorded Webinar Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of December 6, 2021

Webinar Roundup | December 7, 2021

Webinar Roundup | November 30, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of November 29, 2021

Webinar Roundup | November 23, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of November 22, 2021

Webinar Roundup | Week of November 15, 2021