The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Hall of Fame has announced the 2021 winners for the three sustainable tourism categories. On behalf of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, we are pleased to recognize these industry leaders who are taking action on sustainability initiatives to the benefit of our region and our communities.
Congratulations to the Biosphere Hall of Fame 2021 Award Winners:
This summer, Monte Creek Ranch Winery took on the responsibility to advocate for the endangered B.C. badger with a fundraiser and awareness campaign. Less than 350 badgers remain in B.C. and the leading cause to the decline of badger populations is highway kills, including on a section of HWY 1 which borders Monte Creek Winery's property between Kamloops and Pritchard. The Monte Creek Winery team took action. In partnership with the Badgers in BC Society and BC Wildlife Park, they fundraised $900 in support of badger conservation.
Kelowna Yacht Club participated in several TOTA Biosphere programs and implemented the recommendations in 2021. To improve eco efficiency, Kelowna Yacht Club implemented an internal recycling program, participated in the Eco Efficiency Program, created a “Save Energy” program, created an environment team and a sustainability policy, installed LED lights, and created an Energy Conservation Campaign. Kelowna Yacht Club will continue to develop sustainability programs and work towards the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Tim Rodgers was awarded the 2021 Pioneer Award through his consistent implementation of sustainability practices, which provides inspiring leadership in the Thompson Okanagan. As General Manager of Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel, Tim Rodgers has been instrumental in making changes throughout the brand. Tim Rodgers was the first General Manager in Kamloops to have the Green Key Eco-Rating, which he has continued with every property since then. Through selection of cleaning products, initiatives, and focused sustainable choices, Tim Rodgers continues to inspire and search for more areas to improve through sustainability.
The Biosphere Hall of Fame recognizes Biosphere Committed tourism stakeholders within the Thompson Okanagan. Award winners are taking extra steps towards sustainable and responsible tourism by participating in the value-added programs and taking initiative to work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Nominations were accepted until December 2021.
Currently, 73 companies in the Thompson Okanagan region have joined the Biosphere Commitment Program.
The Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to bring you the second annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Richmond, B.C with the theme of Kickstarting the Comeback. Gather together to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years for the tourism sector.
Early Bird Rates (Rates available until 11:59pm PT on February 1)
In a press conference January 25, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) announced that proof of full vaccination will continue to be required to access some events, services, and businesses in B.C. The requirement is in place until June 30, 2022. It applies to all people born in 2010 or earlier (12+).
The vaccine card will be reviewed regularly and stopped sooner if the situation changes.
Sport tournaments for children and youth will resume effective Feb. 1, 2022. The prohibition on adult tournaments will continue to be in effect.
Both amendments will be reflected in the Public Health Order covering Gatherings and Events.
Kelowna International Airport is receiving over $18 million in funding for key infrastructure projects and operational support from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program.
Along with the announcement for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada is also providing more than $3 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund. This will provide funding to maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Kelowna and surrounding communities.
In a letter to Labour Minister Harry Bains, the coalition noted that the sick pay program comes at a difficult time for businesses during the height of the new Omicron wave. It's particularly challenging for businesses such as pubs and restaurants which were not closed (and thus many were ineligible for government assistance) and whose business dropped precipitously.
There are many examples of businesses experiencing functional closures and seeing a significant portion of their employees at home sick. Consequently, operationally and administratively it has been a very challenging start to the year.
One of the primary concerns relates to the fact that businesses and employees rely on payroll and human resources information systems to track, store, and provide accurate information on use of paid sick days and payment. Nearly all of these systems are based on a workplace having a common ‘employment year’ which is most often the calendar year or a business’s fiscal year.
However, the current wording of the ‘employment year’ definition on the Employment Standards website from the policy interpretation of Illness or Injury Leave - Act Part 6, Section 49.1is causing confusion for employers and workers alike: “Employment year” refers to the specific employee’s employment year, based on their start date.
Most businesses remain unaware of this interpretation of the policy. In addition, there are problems faced by businesses struggling to understand how to implement paid sick leave for part-time and short-term employees.
In its letter, the coalition offered a number of recommendations for the province to consider including amending the definition of 'employment year', as well as reimbursing businesses for the additional sick days paid over the annual intended five days paid sick leave businesses understood they were required to pay.
Organizations that signed a letter include TIABC, BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver BC Restaurant & Food Services Association, Restaurants Canada, go2HR, ABLE BC, BCHA, and others.
We are very pleased to welcome Klippers Organic Acres to our Biosphere Commitment Program! Sustainability is everything for Klippers Organic Acres. They have 80 solar panels installed, minimize food waste, monitor their entire footprint, are using geothermal energy, and a Certified Organic farm. Klippers Organic Acres focuses sustainability through their motto of leaving the land better then how they found it.
Sign up with the free BCRTS subscription plan to get your own account to register for this webinar and gain access to the free Tourism Digital Marketing Certification Program.
For free access to this webinar, register for the BCRTS subscription plan. You’ll also gain access to past webinar recordings and the Tourism Digital Marketing Certificate.
World Travel Awards is pleased to announce its annual "call for entries" for inclusion in the most prestigious awards and recognition initiative in travel and tourism. World Travel Awards invites brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence to participate in the annual programme.
BC Parks is inviting British Columbians to participate in the redesign of its digital services since the journey for many people seeking outdoor experiences begins online. Feedback can be shared through the new test site at Beta.BCParks.ca.
People can participate in the redesign to create a more user-friendly and inclusive online experience through BCParks.ca.
The new BC Parks test site is live and provides a glimpse into the design work and improvements being made. New content and features will be added to the site during the coming months. People can also sign up to join future focus groups to help inform the future of all BC Parks digital products and services.
A key feature of the redesign is to improve the online reservation system with expanded features. Opening March 21, 2022, the new reservation service will be available through the BC Parks website .
The Province of B.C. has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting B.C. businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases under the December 22, 2021 and/or January 18, 2022 Provincial Health Officer orders.
The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant is extended and supports doubled for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until February 16, 2022.
The online self-guided Tourism Digital Academy program is available until the end of March. This condensed version of Destination BC’s digital marketing program offers B.C.-based tourism businesses maximum flexibility to fit the course into their schedules with unlimited access for six months to digital marketing instruction videos, templates, and resources. Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this comprehensive program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan.
Everything Podcasts, part of Pattison Media, is a full-service podcast production company. They help brands evolve and expand their media strategy into the audio space with a custom podcast series.
Everything Podcasts works with brands, organizations, and companies powerful content creative, promotional support, production services, marketing, sales representation, research, and access to the fastest-growing media platform in the world, podcasting.
Tourism HR Canada released a report that provides insight to the current perspectives of the service delivery in Canada and how the travel and tourism industry should prepare itself for the future. The report concluded that, as the visitor economy gradually recovers from the COVID crisis, addressing service disruptions will need to be balanced against safety and price sensitivity.
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:
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.
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