Thompson Okanagan Tourism News | 2023-06 (2)

Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.

Have a great photo for a TOTA newsletter or social post? Submit images and get featured → Highlights TOTA Golf Tournament Early Bird Indigenous Event Recaps Industry Resources BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductees BC Wildlife Park Accessibility and Inclusion Initiatives Industry Shout Out & Enter to Win - Moon Curser Vineyards Read on to learn more Quick Links Post a Job Industry Training Resources Industry Events Calendar Know Before You Go Travel Trade & Media Opportunities About TOTA Featured News ⛳🏌️‍♀️🌟 Get ready to tee off at the 30th Annual TOTA Golf Tournament, taking place at the Bighorn Golf & Country Club in Kamloops on August 24, 2023. Join in for a full day of golf, food, and drinks, all while supporting the future of Thompson Okanagan's tourism industry. Register to get the early bird discount by this Friday, July 7. Learn More & Register → The event is raising funds for tourism student bursaries. Show your support for the future of tourism by donating a silent auction item or becoming a sponsor. June is National Indigenous History Month and there were several events held by the 33 Indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan region Check out these photos and videos from some of the events: Turtle Island Festival in Kelowna Siya Celebration and Siya?ten Festival in West Kelowna Pow Wow Between the Lakes in Sn'pinktn / Penticton Learn more about Indigenous tourism and how to get involved at IndigenousBC.com Industry Resources 👥 The Francophone Mobility Program has been expanded so employers now have the opportunity to hire additional classifications of French speaking  temporary foreign workers. 🍁 Destination Canada’s virtual Annual Public Meeting on July 6 will provide highlights from 2022, progress towards recovery, and efforts to build long-term resiliency for Canada's tourism sector. Elevate your tourism marketing skills with on-demand lessons on topics such as: 🖥️ How to Install & Use Google Analytics 4 🖥️ How to Write Prompts that Get AI Working for You 💌 Create Email Marketing Campaigns that Your Guests Will Love ❇️ And more eLearningU offers great resources at a discounted price for Thompson Okanagan tourism companies. Get Involved - Support the Industry 💡Share Your Vision for the Future of Outdoor Recreation in BC The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is holding several input sessions to hear diverse perspectives on the future of outdoor recreation and support the evolving outdoor recreation sector. Virtual Session, July 13 (Register by July 6) Virtual Session, August 2 (Register by July 26) Marketing 🛫 Pacific Coastal Airlines announced a new daily route between Nanaimo and Kelowna starting Tuesday, September 12, 2023. There's a 20% discount with promo code: WELCOMENANAIMO 👏 Learn about Jenna Bower, Manager & Cultural Coordinator of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, in an interview by the Women of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Association 🍽️ Congratulations to the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductees. Honourable mentions from the Thompson Okanagan include: Local Champion: Ross Derrick Broken Anchor Hospitality – Kelowna/Big White Active Restaurateur: Audrey Surrao, RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd. - Kelowna Women in Hospitality: Kelsey Oudendag, Okanagan College / RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd. 🛣️ Learn about 7 scenic stops on a road trip from Vancouver to Osoyoos, including Hedley, Cawston, Keremeos, and Midway. 🏆 Cast your Vote for TOTA to Win the Responsible Tourism Award by July 9. By supporting TOTA, you're helping us spread the word on how we're working alongside the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry to deliver sustainable and responsible tourism services. We appreciate your support! Strengthening the Destination BC Wildlife Park's Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion Continues with Fundraising for Playground Upgrades BC Wildlife Park has completed several accessibility upgrades, with plan to revamp the children's playground with inclusive equipment that all children can enjoy when they visit the park. BC Wildlife Park is planning fundraising events and accepting donations. Learn More → TOTA held a productive board director meeting at The Cove Lakeside Resort. Afterwards, several board directors and staff stayed for a tour of this beautiful West Kelowna property. Thank you to The Cove team for the wonderful hospitality! Do you know a young Canadian who cares about accessibility and inclusion? The Enabling Accessibility Fund - Youth Innovation is seeking youth to help organisations apply for funding to make their community more inclusive and accessible to all. Youth can apply by October 10, 2023. Examples of tourism related projects include: ✔️ Installation of Automatic Door Openers ✔️ Purchase of a Tandem Bike for Persons with Visual Disabilities ✔️ Purchase of Para-Hockey Sledges ✔️ Purchase of All-Terrain Beach Wheelchairs and Mobi-Mats ✔️ Modifying a Website to Make It Accessible ✔️ Purchase of a Pool Wheelchair If your business is interested in working with youth to apply for funding, email Accessibility@TOTABC.com. 🛣️ Highway 3 "Sustainable Journey from Prairies to Pacific" was selected by Destination Canada for the Tourism Corridor Strategy Program, which promotes routes that have “clusters of tourism assets,” including historical sites, natural landscapes and cultural events Industry Shout Out & Enter to Win Moon Curser Vineyards Celebrates 20 Years Producing Rare Grape Varietals This boutique, family-owned winery in Osoyoos is focused on making premium wines from old-world grape varieties such as Tannat, Dolcetto, and Touriga Nacional. Want to taste some of these rare Okanagan grape varietals for yourself? Moon Curser has generously donated 3 prizes of a Wine Tasting Experience for up to 4 people. Learn More & Enter to Win → Corporate Sponsors & Official Suppliers: