Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.
Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team
Hi there,
With the busyness of summer now underway, we can be grateful that this June looked very different from last year, when B.C. experienced record high temperatures under a heat dome, which led to wildfires, evacuations, and the tragic destruction of the Village of Lytton on June 30. Lytton is rebuilding slowly and still accepting donations to support the community.
While last year was extreme, it’s important to remember that natural disasters, big and small, can occur with little notice and disrupt regular business operations.
Residents and tourism operators are encouraged to plan ahead for potential risks through the practice of Emergency Preparedness. In many cases, time is limited in a crisis, with an urgent need to respond. Emergency Preparedness can be beneficial for tourism businesses to minimize damage and increase recovery time.
Here are some resources to support tourism operators with emergency preparedness:
TOTA's Role in Regional Destination Management
In May 2022, the Province of BC released the BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework, which states that the role of Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMO) like TOTA is to:
Work directly with local tourism partners and lead, in collaboration with DBC, on the planning, creation, distribution and delivery of emergency management training tools for tourism operators and community destination management organizations.
Lead in local emergency response through providing connections between emergency operations centres and tourism operators for emergency support services (ESS) and visitor redirection.
TOTA employs a Crisis Management Coordinator, who regularly engages with Emergency Management BC, to closely monitor the region and work with impacted communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and other parties.
In an emergency, TOTA’s Crisis Management Plan is activated, with several team members adapting their roles to share key communications and guidance for trip planners and visitors on ThompsonOkanagan.com, and tourism businesses through the TOTA News Centre.
Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator connect directly with the appropriate team member in a crisis situation.
For general and B.C. tourism specific Emergency Preparedness resources, such as links to official information sources, checklists, templates, and support services, visit and bookmark the following for future references:
The best time to prepare is now. Remember to share your emergency plan with your team members. If you require further assistance, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Let's make this a tremendous summer season for all, stay safe, stay informed, and have fun!
The BiosphereSustainable.com website is now available, which allows people to learn about the good practices and sustainable efforts of companies and destinations around the world, showing how they contribute to the fulfilment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) will play a significant role in decarbonising businesses by leveraging existing gas pipeline systems. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is made from organic waste produced by everyday activities. As organic matter such as food decomposes, it releases biogas which when cleaned produces methane, also known as Natural Gas. As this methane is produced through organic resources it is considered completely biogenic or carbon neutral.
FortisBC is offering renewable and low carbon gases to customers as part of the 30BY30 target to reduce its customers’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 in support of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.
To learn more about renewable natural gas and other ways to reduce your business' carbon footprint, register for a free Energy Assessment or connect with TOTA’s Energy Analyst at [email protected].
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced the approval of six new sub-Geographical Indications (sub-GIs) located in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The sub-GIs, recognized as Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, and Lake Country, are now protected terms under BC law representing a geographical area of origin for 100% BC VQA wine.
Read the proposals and technical reports behind each new BC sub-GI at BCVQA.ca.
Learn more about each of the wine regions of British Columbia at WineBC.com.
The Province released B.C.’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. The strategy strengthens B.C.’s collective capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to the impacts of climate change. This includes sudden events like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves as well as changes that happen more slowly like rising sea-levels, receding glaciers, and shifting ecosystems.
Actions fall under four key pathways that work to strengthen the foundations for success, build safe and healthy communities, foster resilient species and ecosystems, and advance a climate-ready economy and resilient infrastructure.
Destination Canada published a new corporate strategy and 3-year plan for recovery entitled Canada’s Tourism Renaissance. This summary highlights Destination Canada’s work to support the 225,000 small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada and their communities by driving sector recovery from the pandemic, as well as taking action towards a better future.
Learn how Indigenous businesses can develop Indigenous Cultural Tourism experiences and how any tourism business can incorporate Indigenous tourism into their offerings.
Host: Wine Growers BC, Canada, Ontario, & Nova Scotia
Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) is co-hosting a virtual Canadian Wine Growers Symposium and Annual Awards Ceremony with high profile speakers addressing emerging political and market trends and impacts of the pandemic, followed by the Wine Growers Canada and Wine Growers British Columbia Industry Recognition Awards.
Registration is complimentary for industry professionals.
In this two-part seminar package, Small Business BC’s Market Research expert, Mark Eversfield will teach you the important steps of gathering both secondary and primary market research. You will learn how ask the right questions, collect key data, and interpret that information to help you make strategic business decisions.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the Awake Tourism Challenge, a competition and program to find and support innovative startups working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Deadline to submit your application: October 15, 2022
P.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement.) Awards is the UK’s leading sustainability and climate awards, honouring the individuals and teams behind the products, services, and businesses that are changing the face of our planet.
The P.E.A. Awards identifies and celebrates the green heroes who are taking matters into their own hands and providing inspiring alternatives to business as usual. These sustainability pioneers are recognised and rewarded at a glamorous green carpet event. Winners will receive a high-profile editorial in My Green Pod magazine distributed online to over 7 million people.
It is free to nominate yourself, a colleague, a team, a product, or a business in multiple categories. Nominations close August 31, 2022.
The Okanagan Valley has been nominated for USA Today’s 2022 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards! An expert panel selected Okanagan Valley as a contender for Best Wine Region category, out of more than 250 North American grapegrowing regions.
Voting ends Monday, July 18 and winners will be announced on 10Best on July 29 at 9AM PT.
The BC 2030 Feasibility Team announced exciting new details for the BC 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, including a venue map and additional information on the concept behind the Indigenous-led Games in B.C. The group has now entered its engagement phase to learn how the games can be delivered to benefit B.C. province-wide. All British Columbians are encouraged to take the survey and share your perspective.
With higher temperatures starting to settle in, it is important that employers are aware of the effects heat can have on their workers, and are taking action to prevent heat stress. go2HR has put together some practical resources to provide employers with information, including appropriate control measures that may help to reduce the effects of heat exposure in the workplace.
The Indigenous BC Trip Planner app is a trip planning and educational tool that guides visitors through the Indigenous territories of BC and their unique, immersive experiences. Use the app to discover places to go, places to stay, and things to do in BC. Find authentic Indigenous experiences and businesses, learn common Indigenous words and phrases, and hear traditional songs, stories, and legends.
Tourism businesses can share the app with their guests or connect with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential partnerships.
Tourism Kelowna has shared an article for businesses, including business practices to consider and how to assess if you’re ready to welcome 2SLGBTQIA+ travellers, a valuable market made up of highly-educated individuals with disposable income seeking businesses that align with their values.
Hotel News Resource has shared a glossary of post-pandemic travel terms and trends, such as trip stacking, buddymooning, and revenge travel. Check out the glossary and plan how your business can take advantage of these current trends in the Thompson Okanagan.
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