Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.
Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team
Hi there,
Happy Earth Week!
Leading up to Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, let’s take time to celebrate our planet and reflect on the opportunities we have to create a positive impact, every day of the year. Many Thompson Okanagan communities and companies are hosting events, such as Kelowna, Kamloops, Summerland, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Armstrong, and Nicola Valley.
As people gain an understanding of the need to take action to protect our planet, there is a growing preference for supporting responsible tourism. By taking action, destinations and companies can better serve communities and sustainability-conscious travellers.
This week, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) introduced a new Climate Action Plan to facilitate sustainable industry and community development in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada.
The plan outlines a series of strategies and initiatives to support the regional and global commitment to cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
TOTA encourages all tourism operators, visitors, and community members to learn more about the plan and take action to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has introduced a new climate action plan to facilitate sustainable industry and community development in the Thompson Okanagan region. As part of TOTA’s signing of the Glasglow Declaration on Climate Action In Tourism, the plan outlines a series of strategies and initiatives to support the regional and global commitment to cut emissions in half by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.
In honour of International Bat Appreciation Day on April 17, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and the BC Community Bat Program (BCCBP) are pleased to announce a partnership to assist and educate accommodators throughout the region on the importance of protecting the bat populations in the Okanagan. TOTA and the BCCBP have created a resource for accommodators with bats on their property that details the importance of bats, how to protect them, and how best to manage them at your accommodation whether you are looking to incorporate them into your operations or relocate them somewhere else.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been nominated for North America's Responsible Tourism Award 2023 inthe 30th annual World Travel Awards. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few moments to register and vote for TOTA in category 61. North America's Responsible Tourism Award before July 9.
The Fast Facts Tourism Research Summary is an ongoing snapshot of the state of the tourism industry, particularly as it is reacting to a post-pandemic world. This timely data is an overview of how various factors change over time and will assist Thompson Okanagan tourism operators in making informed decisions by understanding consumer behaviour.
The British Columbia Hotel Association Summit is happening in Kelowna at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Hotel Grand Okanagan Resort on May 1 and 2, 2023. BC’s accommodation professionals are invited to this excellent opportunity to expand your professional circle and learn from industry leaders and top government officials right here in the Thompson Okanagan.
TOTA is an event sponsor and several TOTA team members will be volunteering on the days of. If you attend, we look forward to seeing you there!
The BC Hospitality Foundation golf tournaments are an important fundraiser to provide scholarships for individuals looking to advance their careers in hospitality and essential funding for individuals facing financial crisis due to a health condition.
To address the workforce shortage, Tourism HR Canada has launched the campaign “Discover Tourism” with the goal of facilitating growth and recovery across the sector in 2024.
Discover Tourism will aid employers and employees alike, acting as the go-to online resource for people looking for tourism career information and employers looking to attract, train, and retain top talent.
Supported by the tagline, “tourism can take you there,” the focus is on the journey – what can people discover working in tourism – and key sectors: accommodations, recreation and entertainment, food and beverage services, transportation, and travel services.
The Wine Sector Support Program (WSSP) provides short-term financial support to licensed Canadian wineries as they adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges that impact financial resilience and competitiveness of the wine industry.
The program will provide non-repayable grants to wine licensees in Canada based on their production of bulk wine fermented in Canada from domestic and/or imported primary agricultural products.
Applications will be accepted from April 17 to May 26. The program will end on March 31, 2024.
Customer Service Foundations Instructor: Tania Rutt – April 25, 2023 – 6-9 p.m. Understanding customer behavior is essential when providing experiences. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to provide a high-quality customer service that will lead to a financial impact on an organization.
Front of House Sales Techniques Instructor: Luke Whittall – May 2, 2023 – 6-9 p.m. This interactive workshop will provide front line with the foundational skills needed to confidently handle tastings for 2 to 50 people that leads to more sales. Using scenarios, participants will learn how to provide customers an experience that will lead to more sales.
Daily Social Media Habits Instructor: Meghan Dimma – May 9, 2023 – 6-9 p.m. To stand out from the rest of the crowd, social media activity needs to become a habit. This interactive workshop will have participants understand the current trends in social media, how to create effective posts and incorporate paid advertising to get a return on their efforts.
Cost Per Course: $60 plus material fees.
Contact Kristine Clarkson for more information: kclarkson@okanagan.bc.ca
With so many tours, attractions, and experiences on offer in Canada and around the world, businesses need to be even more strategic when it comes to understanding the market and their competition, planning operational strategies, and ensuring profitability. The key to unlocking insights: research.
Destination BC's Essential Guide on How to Conduct Tourism Research explains what tourism research is, why it’s necessary, and what the process entails. It also shares advice on data compilation and analysis, collaborative research partnerships, and research projects with consultants.
These lessons and more can be accessed through eLearningU, a virtual platform that provides tourism marketing lessons to the Canadian tourism industry.
How to Register for eLearningU - 50% Discount
Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals get 50% off a three month subscription. Sign up with the link below to access weekly Webinar Lessons, the Recording Library, and downloadable presentations, resources, templates, and handouts.
WORTH Association is researching gender equity initiatives in BC. Women working in recreation, tourism, or hospitality are invited to take 5 minutes to contribute to this survey. This survey is open to residents of BC working in the recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries and who identify as female, trans, cisgender, queer, and non-binary. All answers are kept anonymous.
Tourism Week is an annual invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada and BC's destinations, tourism businesses, and employees.
TIAC's theme is: CANADA: Powered by Tourism! The theme was chosen to recognize the fundamental economic and sociocultural importance of the sector in communities from coast to coast to coast.
TIABC and Destination BC want to emphasize the opportunities tourism offers to those looking for exciting, purpose-driven careers. Tourism supports well-paying jobs—jobs like international salespeople, highly-trained outdoor guides, helicopter pilots, wellness experts, sommeliers, hotel managers, fishing guides, bus drivers, ski instructors, event organizers, and so many more.
On Monday, April 17 at 5 pm PST, go2HR participated in a panel discussion to promote hospitality and tourism jobs in BC to post-secondary students and youth (18-35 years old) in Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, and other IEC partner countries. This webinar targeted those who want to work and travel in Canada and may be eligible for an IEC Working Holiday Visa as well as non-IEC partner countries who may want to work in Canada and need an LMIA, such as the Philippines, Fiji, etc.
go2HR promoted their Job Board throughout the session and directed job candidates to submit applications.
go2HR is encouraging tourism businesses to post jobs on the go2HR job board so participants will see these opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity for BC tourism and hospitality to reach this international audience of job seekers for your summer hiring!
If you have any questions or require other HR-related support, resources or guidance, please contact gbrunner@go2HR.com for a FREE consultation.
Globox™ Raffle: Enter to Win a Globox™ Prize by May 18
Glohaven Community Hub is supporting the 2023 Hillview Elementary School Grade 7's by raising funds for their end of year celebration expenses. for the 2nd time with this sustainable fundraising method.
Enter to win 1 of 5 fabulous Globox™ prizes! Each prize package features a signature experience, as well local products and experiences, including:
The SilverStar Mountain Resort Globox™ $1,330
The Spirit Ridge Resort & Nk'Mip Globox™ $1,565
The Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa Globox™ $940
A Globox™ is a tourism gift box featuring local products and experiences. Each Globox™ is thoughtfully curated and highlights Indigenous and Biosphere Commitment Program companies, as part of an initiative created with Glohaven Community Hub and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), as well as Shop First Nations with the Indigenous Globox™.
Since 2021, Glohaven’s Globoxes™ have raised over $40,000 for schools, wildfire relief (Food Banks BC) and a tourism scholarship (TOTA). Glohaven has also supported local businesses by purchasing over $14,000 in products and experiences.
Over the next 20 years, immigrants are likely to represent 100% of the growth of Canada's workforce - we must consider what the future holds and how we best respond to emerging needs.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is extending an invitation to a new engagement initiative that was recently launched – An Immigration System for Canada’s Future – aimed at exploring how immigration policies and programs can support a shared vision for Canada’s future.
As part of the efforts by IRCC, this survey has been launched with the goal to provide an opportunity to share your ideas and advice for the future of immigration on behalf of your organization.
Nominate a person, place, or organization that is truly one of Canada’s best, offering travellers superior experiences, authentically showcasing the very best of Canada. These coveted awards are highly competitive and have showcased the best-of-the-best in the Canadian tourism industry.
Any Canadian tourism-related product, business, association, initiative, or service that occurred from January 1 to December 31, 2022 is eligible.
The federal government made two announcements on enhancements to immigration programs:
Canada will launch a new economic pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to help employers hire skilled refugees and other displaced individuals. Tourism and hospitality workers were specifically noted as being in demand.
Temporary measures have been extended under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP), including maintaining the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions at up to two years, and permitting employers in certain sectors – including accommodation and food services – to hire up to 30 percent of their workforce through the TFWP for low-wage positions.
The Climate Reality Project has released their annual, volunteer-led data project tracking the performance of municipalities based on 26 climate, sustainability, and social justice indicators. Find out which municipalities are leading on key indicators like public transit ridership, renewable energy, green space, housing affordability, and more.
From the Thompson Okanagan, several municipalities participated and ranked well, notably:
Osoyoos ranked highest for the number of EV charging stations by population. In 2021, Osoyoos added 11 new Level 3 chargers in association with Natural Resources Canada and Tesla Motors Canada. There are eight Tesla superchargers and three FLO (a Quebec-based company) direct current fast chargers in the community, with Tesla also supplying funding for the maintenance of its stations.
Want to positively impact the lives of displaced persons while also meeting your recruitment needs? Look no further! The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) is proud to host an upcoming virtual event highlighting two critical and innovative workforce initiatives designed to support refugee resettlement in British Columbia's accommodation sector:
The Talent Beyond Boundaries program, which provides permanent residency to skilled refugees through the BC PNP program
The HIRES program that places refugees directly into vacant entry-level jobs in Canada.
Hear from expert speakers from both HIRES and Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) along with BCHA Workforce Strategist, Alison Langford.
Join TIABC and the GreenStep team to learn more about taking the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge and about the importance of measuring the sustainability performance of your business or destination.
Why attend?
Learn why and how to measure your sustainability performance
Understand the business case for sustainability
Preview an introduction to the globally-recognized criteria used to assess your business or destination
Join the movement, and become a part of the solution by actively engaging in the building of a sustainability action plan for your business or destination
This webinar is for a business owner, manager, destination management team member, or any staff who can influence operational improvement within the organization.
The Art of Leadership Women focuses on the topics and trends most critical to leaders. This unique one-day conference features a riveting collection of world leaders, business icons, academics, and bestselling authors who inspire action.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn improved ways of leveraging their value, elevating their skills, and developing the strategies required to take their leadership and their organizations to the next level. This conference is not just for women, but for anyone who wants to champion change on behalf of women.
NOTE: TIABC members can receive up to $100 off registration by using code TIABC40
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