The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has joined with Green Wine Future (GWF) as a corporate sponsor and strategic partner. Green Wine Future is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering May 23-26, 2022.
To address critical topics of sustainability, wine, and matters related to the climate crisis and the environment, Chrand Events has created Green Wine Future as the culmination of its Climate Change & Wine and Wine Future conferences. The conference will be broadcast in four languages simultaneously (English, Spanish, French, Italian) from 8 different parts of the planet in their respective time zones: USA, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
In response to current world conditions, the premiere edition of Green Wine Future will offer a totally new way to attend a conference and for speakers to present their information: a hands-on and practical approach through video footage, and documentaries. Live broadcast from vineyards, footage from innovative solutions to the climate crisis, interactive documentaries specially recorded for the event are just a few highlights of GWF.
GWF will include the W4P - Wine for the Planet docuseries, showcasing the importance for all industries to protect areas of the Earth most sensitive to the climate crisis. W4P will stream free globally during regular breaks of GWF.
The Thompson Okanagan will be featured in a documentary, recorded in April, to showcase the wine industry, sustainable tourism commitments, and environmentally friendly strategies and initiatives that are being undertaken as part of the provincial focus to address the global climate crisis.
Attendee registration is now open. Early bird registration pricing is available until March 15, 2022.
TOTA is seeking Thompson Okanagan wineries to represent the region by hosting Green Wine Future virtual booths.
This virtual format will allow wineries and wine companies to be present at the GWF Virtual Expo, showcasing their wines, products, and services. Delegates, speakers, and exhibitors can network virtually with booth hosts starting 2 weeks prior to the conference.
B.C. eased some COVID-19 restrictions as of Feb. 16, 2022, while maintaining key protective measures to support the health and safety of all British Columbians.
While keeping the BC Vaccine Card, indoor masking requirements, and COVID-19 safety plans in place, B.C. lifted restrictions on personal gatherings, organized gatherings and events, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, exercise and fitness, and adult sports tournaments. Capacity limits will return to normal.
With more than 90% of eligible B.C. residents vaccinated with their second dose, British Columbia will transition to a sustainable COVID-19 management plan focusing on vaccination, self-monitoring and specific actions to protect those most at risk.
Based on hospitalization and critical care rates over the coming days and weeks, the provincial health officer will review the remaining protective measures by March 15, and again by April 12.
The provincial health officer (PHO) has updated the Provincial Health Officer Order on Workplace Safety, to support the transition of employees back into the workplace.
The requirement for employers to allow workers to work from their private residence, if possible, has been lifted.
All workplaces must continue to have COVID-19 safety plans in place, and the PHO’s Face Coverings Order continues to apply to some workplaces.
The Province and the PHO recognize that every workplace is different. Many workplaces will be able to transition to in-person work again quickly. Others may wish to continue with remote or hybrid models. Workplaces and businesses are encouraged to choose the option that works best for them.
A reminder that effective Monday, February 28, Canada is transitioning to a new phase at the border.
All fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Canada may be randomly selected for testing. However, they will no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result. Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will be exempt from quarantine without any prescribed conditions limiting their activities.
Travellers will now have the option to use a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result or a molecular test result to satisfy pre-entry requirements.
The Government of Canada Travel Health Notice is updated from Level 3 to Level 2. This means that government no longer recommends Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes.
International flights carrying passengers are permitted to land at all Canadian airports that are designated by the Canada Border Services Agency to receive international passenger flights.
Travellers should understand the risks that are still associated with international travel given the high incidence of Omicron, and take necessary precautions.
Welcome to Destination Silver Star! Joining the Biosphere Commitment Program allows the continuation of sustainability planning for Destination Silver Star along with supports to advance and create a Biosphere Sustainability Journey.
Naramata Inn has the joined the Biosphere Commitment Program as we are so excited! Naramata Inn has a hyper-local focus in their business operations and keep sustainability at the front of decision making. They are looking forward to have Sustainable Development Goals to quantify their efforts in areas that ensure they continue to grow and better themselves and their destination.
Howling Moon Craft Cider has joined the Biosphere Commitment Program to help guide the choices they make to ensure they are ingrained with sustainable decision making. There are many sustainable parts to Howling Moon Craft Cider and they are excited to start their Biosphere Journey. We are very pleased to welcome them to the Biosphere Commitment Program!
On February 22nd, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) funding of over $18.8 million in federal support for 11 airports and two air carriers in B.C. In the Thompson Okanagan, Kelowna International Airport received $3,261,330 of RATI funds.
The funding will ensure these airports and carriers can continue essential route maintenance and facility operations, as well as maintain employment and restore growth in the region.
Premier John Horgan appointed Josie Osborne as Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, and Nathan Cullen as Minister of Municipal Affairs. Premier Horgan has also named MLA Doug Routley as Parliamentary Secretary for Forests to support the work of Minister Katrine Conroy to modernize forestry in British Columbia.
The establishment of the Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship follows government’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, protecting BC's environment and building a strong economic recovery. Minister Osborne will work with First Nations, local communities and industry to build a vision for land and resource management that will embrace shared decision making on the land base and to build certainty and create further opportunity.
As Minister of Municipal Affairs, Cullen will work with local governments to support their communities as they recover and rebuild after COVID-19 and extreme weather. Cullen will support municipalities to address their priorities, from building infrastructure to responding to challenges posed to businesses and neighbourhoods by homelessness.
The new Business Events and Conferences Restart Fund will provide up to $5 million this fiscal year and up to $3 million next year to help restart business travel. Funding will be provided to city destination management organizations that were significantly involved in attracting and hosting business events, conferences and exhibitions before the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit proposals to access this funding.
To help address serious challenges to recruit and retain workers in tourism and hospitality, the Province is investing in human resources support for this sector. More than $1.3 million will fund dedicated human resources specialists in five tourism regions for two years. In partnership with the tourism industry’s human resources association, go2HR, these individuals will provide expert advice to tourism operators in each region, including workforce strategy, recruitment, onboarding, compensation, training, health and safety, and interpreting employment legislation.
The portal includes a high-functioning search tool so tourism businesses can ask a question and be provided with helpful information, including: articles, webinar recordings, case studies, links to resources on other sites, and experts offered by the Tourism Resiliency Program.
Thompson Okanagan companies can combine the learning portal with free 1-1 support from a TOTA Advisor through the Tourism Resiliency Program.
The recordings from the British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network Online Learning Day held September 28, 2021 are now available on the Learning Portal, and new content will be added on an ongoing basis.
Okanagan College instructors are available to deliver virtual, one-hour individually tailored business counselling sessions on a variety of leadership soft skills, business administration, and hospitality topics.
The provincial government’s 2021 Labour Market Outlook (LMO) forecasts more than one million job openings over the next decade.
The report points to a strong demand for workers in the accommodation and food services sectors. In fact, with 65,000 job openings over the next 10 years the sector is one of five industries to account for about half of total job openings.
In the big picture, there are 1,004,000 job openings expected through to 2031 across B.C., and 63% of them will be to replace people leaving the workforce permanently, such as retirees. The remaining 37% will be new jobs created by economic growth and pandemic recovery.
The report notes B.C.’s workforce will be required to build new skills and knowledge to keep pace with the openings. Nearly 80% of the future job openings will require some level of post-secondary education or training.
go2HR shared the results of their labour recovery framework which was built by representatives from industry associations and regional destination management organizations and go2HR.
This framework will serve as a pathway to partnership with governments as they continue to invest in the tourism industry’s recovery and longer-term growth.
The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Chapter (CMHA BC) and go2HR have partnered on a new initiative to raise the awareness of mental health and wellness in the tourism and hospitality industry. As they continue prioritizing mental health and workplace wellness in 2022, go2HR encourages you to register for a new course in partnership with CMHA BC.
'Primary Concerns by Not 9 to 5' is a free online course that can help you maintain your mental health. It can also serve as a guide if you're holding space to care for another person experiencing an emotional or mental crisis.
Some of the things you'll learn:
Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and provide help to prevent or avoid crises Improve one's mental health
Support the creation of a psychologically safe workplace
go2HR's free online health and safety program for employees, BSAFE, has been updated to reflect Provincial Health Orders. BSAFE now includes BC Proof of Vaccination protocols as well as Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
ACE-WIL BC/Yukon, the Association of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning, connects post-secondary students and employers for co-operative education and work-integrated learning experiences. Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a model and process of curricular experiential education which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting.
ACE-WIL offers several resources for hospitality and tourism employers, including:
Talent MATCH: Talk to an advisor to learn which student talent programs best fits your organizational needs. Talent MATCH will connect you to the appropriate post-secondary school(s) and help you identify funding sources and wage subsidies. Organizations of all sizes are eligible through go2HR.
Resource Hub: The ACE-WIL Resource Hub offers tips for recruiting, accessing funding, and managing students remotely. You’ll find webinars, events, and funding opportunities.
Student Recruitment Guide: Talent MATCH created a student recruitment guide with lists of post-secondary institutions with hospitality, tourism, and culinary related programs and student hiring timelines.
Mitacs designs and delivers research and training programs in Canada, including the Business Strategy Internship and Accelerate Program, which match an organization’s funding towards the project, up to $7,500, which covers a student’s stipend. BSIs are focused on designing and implementing an innovation strategy to tackle a business problem. Accelerate supports research projects that are eligible for peer-review.
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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