Manic Monday | Research Highlights the Significance of Tourism in the Thompson Okanagan

While I am certain that most of you will take the time to read the new research TOTA has posted to our News Centre I thought I would recap a few of the highlights to tweak your interest.

This research is based on our work with TELUS Insights, which aggregates cell phone tower data and provides raw information to our research group. The information posted now is the 2018 year in review baseline. The next post will be Jan-May 2018 compared to 2019.

It is important to note that the figures below are for visitation from out of the region. No travel by residents of the Thompson Okanagan within the Thompson Okanagan is included in these figures.

In 2018 the Thompson Okanagan Region saw:

• 9.6 million (minimum one night) overnight stays

• 84 % or 8.1 million were from domestic markets

• 16 % or 1.5 million were from international markets

• Canadian travel into the region was 56% from BC, 27% from Alberta and 5% each from Saskatchewan and Ontario

• The US lead international visitation at 65% followed by Australia, Germany and China at 7%, 5% and 4% respectively

As you read through the report you will find many more interesting pieces of data including details on the types of visitors we are attracting identified through Destination Canada’s Explorer Quotient (EQ) Market segmentation program and Environics Analytics research.

If you are interested in learning more or how you can apply our research and insights to your business or organization contact:

Simone Carlysle-Smith, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Managing Director for Symphony Tourism Services
sts@totabc.com

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | I Know Which History I Want To Be A Part Of...

June 21st is Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, and while we should be celebrating the Indigenous Culture in this Country every day, this is a very special time that calls out to all of us to learn more about the history and culture of this land for millennia.  Further, this is a time to reach out and appreciate the road that the Indigenous people have had to walk, to experience the remarkable music and dance that these nations share, and to appreciate the spiritual connection that has always been part of the first peoples.

The Indigenous people truly understand the importance of sustainability, the protection of mother earth, the connection between humans, animals, land, water and the Creator.

On June 21st there will be many and varied celebrations around our region and I encourage you to take the time to find out what is happening in your area and to take part in these special events.  Now is the time to stand together, to collaborate, to build understanding and to truly reconcile.

Never before have we had the generations of people both Indigenous and non-indigenous with the capacity to truly reach out and fully appreciate each other. Our world depends on it, and it will be our future generations who will look back on this moment in time and either celebrate us all for our collective wisdom, vision, desire for a world that is inclusive, compassionate, brave and so much better than what was before or they will have an alternative opinion of us...

I know which history I want to be part of...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Crisis Management - Proper Communication is a Priority

There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes over the past few years by members of BC’s Emergency Management team in British Columbia. One component of their focus has been finding ways of improving the flow of information and communications to ensure that everyone has access to details about an emergency situation and that they are as accurate and timely as possible.

One of our key challenges during past fire and flood seasons has been the often over dramatization and sensationalism of messaging, through a variety of media sources. Last summer, our team listened in horror as one Vancouver radio station indicated to their listeners that the situation in the “Okanagan” was dire and the travellers should rethink their plans for the weekend, to cancel and avoid the area. On that particular July weekend, nothing could have been farther from the truth. We did contact the station manager and they, in turn, retracted their comments but the damage, by then, had been done.

Without question, it is critical that everyone is kept safe and informed during emergencies that affect any part of our province; places to avoid; highway closures; campfire bans; backcountry conditions... the list goes on. But we also have a responsibility to tell travellers where they can travel to, what areas are unaffected, what routes are open and connect them to the many places they can and should continue to go to and enjoy their vacation.  Part of ensuring that this happens is to work much closer with our media partners, keeping them in check as they deliver their news stories.

The announcement last week, providing funding assistance for tourism Crisis Management Coordinators in our regions, will enable us to begin to do just that; work to get the right information into the traveller's hands as quickly as possible and help our Tourism Stakeholders who are unaffected continue to welcome guests.

We are very pleased in our TOTA office that Rob Grifone, is taking on this role and in the coming weeks and months, you will hear more about this position.

Our sincerest thanks to Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture for the continued support in assisting both the province and the regions with Emergency Management.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Rendez-vous Canada "For Glowing Hearts" Our Hearts Are Glowing

Once again the Canadian travel industry has come together to host our Domestic and International Travel Trade Partners at Rendez-vous Canada held last week in Toronto.  This event has been held across Canada for decades bringing trade operators from around the world, both familiar and new, to meet with Canadian tourism products and destinations from Coast to Coast to Coast. This year, over 620 trade buyers were in attendance representing more than 29 countries, and was by all accounts another resounding success!

Ingrid Dilschnieder, our TOTA Trade Director and Marketing team lead, was in attendance with a full slate of appointments over the 3 days even taking appointments outside of the regular times to accommodate the demand and interest in our Region.  Ingrid was also invited by Destination BC to an evening dinner function attended by a large delegation of Chinese buyers and was afforded the opportunity to get to better understand their requirements and how we, as a region, might meet them.  Well done Ingrid!

For myself, I was able to attend several meetings along with our Board Chairman, Frank Antoine, and we had a number of excellent discussions with industry stakeholders and partners including Parks Canada, Destination Canada, and Air Canada.

An exciting highlight of the week included Destination Canada’s launch of the new Canada Brand, "For Glowing Hearts". It doesn't get more Canadian than that and this new brand certainly drives home the message of our values as a people and a nation.

Congratulations once again to all those that work hard that make Rendezvous Canada happen each year;  to our hosts at Tourism Toronto;  organizers Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and Destination British Columbia, and to all of the many representatives and sellers of tourism that bring their stories of Canada to life at this marketplace and to the buyers who are ready and waiting for new ways to promote and explore our country.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO