Here We Go!
There is nothing we can do but dive right into 2021, so here we go! We hope you had a chance to catch your breath even briefly over the holidays and are ready, like we are at TOTA, to get the new year started. Learn more about the opportunities TOTA is offering to support the tourism industry, including the Tourism Resiliency Program, the Biosphere Commitment Program, and the new Canadian Tourism Professionals Certificate for Domestic Tourism (apply now for February 8, 2021 intake).
There is nothing we can do but dive right into 2021, so here we go! We hope you had a chance to catch your breath even briefly over the holidays and are ready, like we are at TOTA, to get the new year started.
Admiring the reflection on an icy Christina Lake, the eastern point of the Thompson Okanagan region. Photo via Boundary Country by Darren Robinson.
There are many programs and initiatives to advance this year and our team has been taking the time to review and rework a number of them to make sure they address the industry's needs and can be easily accessed.
Tourism Resiliency Program
The Tourism Resiliency Program (TRP), launched in 2020, continues into 2021 and if you have been part of the program we hope that you will continue to watch for new webinars, take advantage of the training opportunities, and the one-on-one meetings with TOTA's advisors. If you have not worked with our TRP advisors in the past year and feel you could benefit from speaking with one of them you can learn more and register or connect with us by emailing Recovery@TOTABC.com.
Biosphere Commitment Program
Biosphere Commitment and stakeholder participation continue to expand and more of our members are taking the opportunity to have an eco-efficiency assessment, work on their health and safety plans through our go2HR representatives, and explore many new additions to the overall program to assist travel businesses in developing and implementing sustainability goals. If you would like to know more please connect with us through the Expression of Interest form.
Tourism Skills Training Program for Domestic Tourism
TOTA has been awarded funding to deliver the Tourism Skills Training (TST) Program for Domestic Tourism. This fully funded, market-driven employment program will help the region’s employers and employees capitalize on domestic tourism by focusing on training skills development for the region's tourism labor force.
In partnership with TOTA, and delivered by the University of Victoria-Peter B Gustavson School of Business, this full-time, online program will prepare participants for positions within the domestic tourism sector in the Thompson Okanagan region. Delivered over a 13-week period, the program will include instructional days, mentorship, employment coaching, and job placement support.
The program is focused on those whose jobs have been impacted by COVID-19 and who are unemployed or precariously employed individuals (casual, seasonal, or part-time). Priority participants will be persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants. Eligible participants must be at least 15 years of age and workers 55+ are encouraged to apply.
Participant selection for the 60 seats in the program will begin in January with a training start date of February 8, 2021.
Keep Connected in 2021
These are but a few of the many many things that will be happening at TOTA to start the new year and we will continue to make sure that you are updated on the other many initiatives planned for 2021. This year will still bring the tourism industry many challenges, however collectively we will work with you to grow and strengthen our industry for the future.
Keep connected and watch for updates through our News Centre for ongoing information.