COVID-19 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association COVID-19 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

In Challenging Times We Pivot

For every one of us, no matter where we live or what industry we are working in, there is tremendous anxiety as we navigate this current and developing pandemic situation. Business losses are mounting daily, while people's livelihoods, savings, and futures are all in question. We are worried about our financial health, personal health, mental health and that of those around us.

This is a time where it is easy, even somewhat impossible not to find ourselves locked in our own thoughts, frozen by the situation and as a result often unable to move forward in any direction.  But this is the very time when we must dig deep and find the mental fortitude to pivot our thinking and challenge ourselves on what is possible.

We have already seen many adaptations with restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries offering curbside and home delivery; hotels providing emergency shelter to front line works and those that are self-isolating,  yoga studies providing online classes, guide outfitters offering training for when the time comes that we are back outside and spas providing online health tips, to name but a few. This is a time to turn your business model upside down, consider retooling, redirecting skills, tapping into available training and finding ways to provide your services in new and unique ways.

The team at TOTA has been reaching out to connect with many of you and want to continue to do this in the coming weeks. If you have not heard from one of us and would like to please email us at recovery@totabc.com. In the meantime, we are currently pivoting our business and working closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as well as other Tourism agencies to connect you with the relief programs that have been announced or are coming shortly. Watch for more on this early this week. We have heard your comments and questions and know that you need help in understanding what is available and we are poised to make that happen.

How business is done and how it will continue in the future is changing right before our eyes and each of us needs to evaluate our priories and activities both professionally and personally to adapt to what is being thrust upon us. One thing that most people are agreed upon, when this is behind us there will be a new normal. How we have lived, compared to how we will live is unquestionably changed forever.

Glenn Mandziuk
President and CEO

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