Manic Monday | Congratulations TIABC and the BC Tourism Industry!

There is always a level of energy and enthusiasm when a group of tourism industry colleagues gather that I have yet to see duplicated in other type of conference or event.

Thanks to the hard work of many industry partners and sponsors including Tourism Industry Association of BC, Destination BC, Indigenous Tourism BC, Tourism Kelowna, Big White Ski Resort and countless others, too numerous to mention, the Thompson Okanagan region was fortunate to have played host to this year’s Tourism Industry Conference in Kelowna last week.

With well over 350 delegates it was by all accounts a tremendous success. This year there was no shortage of challenging topics to discuss that ranged from proposed Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) funding changes, to Airbnb taxation, the speculation tax, labour and housing shortages and disaster management, to name but a few.

Aboriginal Tourism BC hosted a vibrant opening reception, where they announced their new name, "Indigenous Tourism BC”, aligning with the changes in the Federal Government and other National agencies. On the second evening Big White took the conference up the mountain to try their hand at snowshoeing, sleigh rides, night skiing or just a bit of dining on local food and beverage.

Destination BC laid out their road map for the future as they work collectively with all provincial stakeholders to build a content commonwealth and continue to create a powerful marketing network. As a province we are working smarter and using technology to ensure that we are gaining the edge and building on a philosophy that the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts".

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Lisa Beare closed the conference with a number of new initiatives including  the establishment of a new tourism advisory committee and a wine and culinary marketing initiative to be launched this spring.

It was a week of dialogue that ranged from informative and educational to challenging and emotional. There were moments of great laughter, followed by stories and messages that brought tears.

One final thought that will stay with me long after this week is behind us were the closing words of retired Fire Chief Darby Allen who lead the community of Fort McMurray through their devastating wildfire in 2016. Shortly after the fire Darby and his family were visiting Bowen island where they came upon a chalk board with these words which sum up so much of the journey for all of us:

"It's Impossible" - said pride
"It's Risky" - said experience
"It's Pointless"- said reason
"Give it a Try" - whispered the heart.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | A week of reminders and gratitude!

A Big Thank You to Southern Queensland Country Tourism Region!

A number of us from the TOTA region are returning this past weekend from an absolutely wonderful "Business On Tour" in Australia where we were hosted over the past 10 days by our “sister region” in Southern Queensland Country (SQCT).  I cannot begin to thank SQCT CEO Mary-Clare Power and her entire amazing team for putting together such an extensive itinerary which was both enlightening and exhausting!

We have all come away with information and insight that we will be able to put in practise as we continue to grow our region and our tourism products. We hope we have also left behind a few thoughts and ideas that they too may want to consider or implement.  We are worlds apart and right next door, we share so much in the way of opportunities and challenges and we hope that in the not too distant future we will be able to reciprocate by hosting a "Business on Tour " for our colleagues from Australia. Again, a big thank you to all that hosted us and to Air Canada who without their support this trip would not have been possible.

Now to the reminders!

This is a big week for our region as the Tourism Industry Conference hosted by TIABC starts in Kelowna on Wednesday, March 7th. We look forward to welcoming industry partners and stakeholders from around the province to several days of robust and constructive dialogue. There are many critical issues effecting our industry at the moment and this is an important forum to bring those concerns to the forefront and assist Walt Judas and his team in moving them forward in government.

One final reminder about the upcoming Thompson Okanagan Regional Job Fair hosted by TOTA and go2HR taking place on March 15th in Kelowna. If you have not yet booked a booth there are a few spots left. We are anticipating a large turnout of potential employees as this event has been promoted not only to our post secondary institutions but to the general public.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Mobility is a Human Right

It is hard to believe the 2018 Winter Olympics have come to an end. Canadian athletes certainly did our country proud and while we had some unexpected losses we certainly had a tremendous number of wins.  However, this is not going to be a review of the Winter Olympics but a commentary on what I believe was an outstanding advertising campaign that ran extensively by Toyota during this year’s Games.

What you may or may not know is that Toyota is now in its 8th year as a sponsor of the Olympics and Paralympic Games and they have taken their role very seriously.  Fundamentally, Toyota made the decision that they are no longer a car company, but rather a mobility company.  Their messages are clear, concise, and make you pay attention; they make you want to stay in the room when the commercials come on; and they made you want to see them again and again and share them with others.

Their resounding commentary of "Mobility is a Human Right" and "Start Your Impossible", underscores the importance of our need to participate and enjoy the freedom of movement by all persons. They ask that we change our mindset of what is possible by anyone at any age and reinforce that physical challenges touch many lives, be they from birth, as a result of injury, or as part of the aging process. Giving human kind the ability to participate fully in life, through whatever supports can be made available, changes the quality of life for everyone.  Toyota have done a masterful job of creating stories that are engaging, inspirational, evoke emotion and are definitely memorable. They have successfully used their brand to make an important social commentary; they have used their brand for good.

Accessibility needs to be an important conversation for the Tourism Industry. As an industry we can make a difference to the lives of our residents and visitors by embracing the ideal of Access for All.  To this end, TOTA is pleased to have recently announced our partnership with Spinal Cord Injury BC and together have launched Access BC. Through this relationship we will be endeavouring to identify and promote tourism products and services that are accessible to all and encouraging tourism stakeholders to identify the changes they can make that will make their services welcoming to a wide array of abilities.

We may be "Starting our Impossible" as an industry, but if an Automotive Company can recognize its role in advancing accessibility, there is no question in my mind that Tourism can take on this important commitment and be a part of inspiring moments for all.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Thompson Okanagan recognized as Top 100 Sustainable Destinations globally and finalist as Best of the Americas

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is very pleased to announce that the Thompson Okanagan region is recognized as one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations Worldwide by Green Destinations and a finalist in the Best of the Americas Awards to be presented at ITB In Berlin, Germany in March.

I’m so proud of the tourism community Destination Marketing Organization leaders, Industry stakeholders, and partners in this Region who continue to pursue forward-thinking work to ensure the long term health of our visitor economy and the viability of the many natural and cultural assets that drive it.

Consumers of today, and into the future, are recognizing and expecting that all industries, including Tourism, act in a manner that is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible.   Rest assured, these consumers and travelers will vote with their wallets and travel and invest their dollars in places that take this movement seriously.

To be considered, the Thompson Okanagan was rigorously reviewed and required to demonstrate and provide evidence on how the Region complies with the 100 globally recognized criteria of the Green Destination Standard.  While each of the Top 100 Destinations worldwide on the list knows that there is much more work to be done, this list represents an ongoing and growing commitment by tourism destinations to acknowledge and act on the importance of Sustainability and Responsible Tourism development and delivery.

Green Destinations is a non-profit foundation for sustainable tourism, leading a global Partnership of expert organizations, companies, and academic institutions. The Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards are supported by ITB Berlin, Green Destinations, TravelMole, Travelife, and ten other organizations.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Driving and Flying Regional Tourism Revenues

Access means everything to the Tourism Industry and it is certainly a critical component of "driving or flying"  tourism revenues into the Thompson Okanagan.

On the ground, this means ensuring we continue to lobby for improved road systems through lane twinning, increased passing sections and the use of more electronic adjustable speed limit signage.  We need stronger enforcement of existing policies and safety measures specifically the winter requirement for chains and/or approved winter tires on our mountain passes. And we must ensure that there is enhanced year round road maintenance and snow removal programs to keep our roads safe for our residents and visitors alike.

In the air, we have seen incredible improvement in connectivity and we must continue to work with our airline partners to increase the number of direct flights or seamless arrivals from major gateways both domestically and internationally. Through the tireless work of many of our stakeholders, DMO's and Airport partners in Penticton, Kamloops, and Kelowna we have seen the construction of new terminals and runways, technology and guest service enhancements and ever-increasing air access.

The Thompson Okanagan has been fortunate to have a partner in Air Canada who have been strong and supportive allies over decades.  Their commitment to this region has been unwavering and their response to industry concerns, recommendations and suggestions have been met open minds and dialogue that have continued to lead to positive changes.

This past week a group of regional stakeholders made up of key industry leaders from the Okanagan Bucketlist with the additional support of YLW, Tourism Kelowna, and TOTA participated in hosting a luncheon for Air Canada Global Sales Representatives in Montreal further elevating our regional message and once helping to cement the Region as a key destination within the Air Canada World Wide Network.

Access changes everything and we applaud those that understand the importance of providing our residents and visitors with the best possible driving and flying experiences.

One last comment...

Last Friday marked the beginning of the Year of the Dog in the Chinese Lunar Calendar and in fact it is not just any dog but the "Earth Dog". The earth dog only comes around every 60 years so for many of us it is the first and possibly the last time for this particular lunar cycle.

What does this mean? Well, only the next 12 months will be able to tell for sure, but as dogs are generally known to be loyal, easy going and kind, perhaps we can all wish for more peace, better communication,  collaboration and understanding in our world going forward.

It is with that hope that we extend our hearts to those in Florida that last week lost so much in yet another senseless shooting; we are all grieving.  Your loss and your heartbreak break the hearts of us all.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Intergenerational living at its best - Welcome the IGen App

My weekday mornings would not be complete without listening to Chris Walker on CBC Radio as I get ready for work. I tend to find out a tremendous amount about the entire region from his program and very often learn a few interesting business ideas.  Recently he interviewed the owner of Happipad located here in Kelowna who has developed a novel approach to the housing challenges in the area through the creation of a new App called iGen.

The concept is brilliant and quite simple. Bring together students looking for affordable accommodation with healthy independent seniors who are looking for more than just rental income. The end result is transformative for both groups. The often lonely living situation that many seniors find themselves in is positively impacted by the addition of the student renter who provides a degree of companionship, conversation and even learning opportunities. Likewise, the student, who is often away from their home for the first time and may have limited family or friends in the area, is provided a rental situation that is more of a "home-like" environment and to some degree can mimic living with parents or even grandparents.

Both parties go through a rigorous interview process that includes background and criminal record checks.  The two parties must also agree to a variety of criteria that includes spending time together, cooking and having meals with each other and in general finding and creating opportunities to socialize.   In addition, each party identifies their "value add", or in other words, a list of skills they could teach to the other person that they believe may be useful.  This could range from the senior assisting the student with budgeting, writing resumes or even learning to sew/mend clothing while the student might assist the senior with scanning and organizing photos online, helping them set up online grocery shopping and delivery or even get them up and running on  a "Google Home or Alexa System". Whatever those skills maybe each must look for ways to provide personal learning / growth to the other.

Not only is the program getting a tremendous amount of interest but not surprisingly the students have actually indicated that as opposed to wanting deep rental discounts, which was originally one of the intended goals of the program, they are actually willing to pay more to participate.

IGen is in its infancy but all indications are that it will be a tremendous success. While the pilot program is limited to pairing up college/university students with seniors who are or were professionals, in time, the owner/developer has indicated they have plans to continue to grow the program beyond its current target markets.

This is truly the kind of 'out of the box" thinking that we need be looking at and supporting as we work to overcome the serious accommodation challenges our tourism industry is facing for our employees around the region. I encourage you to check out the Happipad website and IGen program; perhaps the next iteration of this App could be young tourism employees finding themselves living with seniors who have or are still working in the industry; sharing, mentoring and ultimately building a more robust tourism and hospitality industry that really takes care of its own.

One final note....
It would seem nearly impossible not to make a comment on the events that took place last week between BC and Alberta.  We are neighbors, allies and trading partners. There is much at stake and much to be lost in continuing down the current path and as one speaker so aptly commented: "the most unfortunate issue is the collateral damage to innocent business owners". We encourage communication, cooperation, and a conscious effort to find workable solutions.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Looking for that next great employee?

How did you find one of your first jobs? Many of us who are over the age of 40, found those important first time positions through family, friends, a local ad or an ad in the newspaper. I remember my first real job (as in not working for my dad), happened because I actually walked into a business, resume in hand, applying for a position that was posted in a window.

Fear, excitement, a coming of age, the idea of having my own money. The entire experience was enough to make any teenagers palms sweat and hopes sore. Of course the job was not nearly as intriguing as the idea of it was, and the money was not going to make me the rich teen I had hoped it would, but it was independence in a way I had only dreamed of.

Today, of course, there is the internet where you can search and apply for positions in a far more anonymous way, but in the end most of the time the employer will want a face to face meeting or at the very least a Skype call before the position is secured.

We would like to suggest another great way to find a job in Tourism.  Why not attend the Tourism Job Fair hosted by TOTA and go2HR taking place March 15th at the Holiday Inn Express in Kelowna?

Open to the public, it is a great way to find out more about the wide array of jobs available in tourism throughout this region. You will have a chance to meet employers face to face in a friendly and casual setting. There will also be a few live demonstrations that may help to tweak your interest in different types of employment and an opportunity to interview with prospective employers one on one should you find that perfect match.

For our tourism employers looking to hire this spring and summer, we encourage you book a booth at this year's event to ensure your business is front and centre with potential employees. Not only will you have a chance to meet with students and first time workers, but we anticipate a large cross section of age groups and many boomers looking to find that next career, supplement their retirement income or just stay active and involved.

Booth space is limited and registration is now open.

Join us ...and let us help you find that next great employee or that next great job...In Tourism!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | We are Already Winners......We Call this Place our Home!

This year has started out with some very exciting news for our region.

On the heels of our November announcement that the Thompson Okanagan has been certified as a Biosphere Sustainable Tourism Destination, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) announced on January 16th that the Thompson Okanagan is one of three finalists for their Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in the category of Destination.

Other finalists in this award category include the Riverwind Foundation in Jackson Hole and Corporacion Parque Arvi located Medellin, Columbia, who we are honoured to share this opportunity with.

The 14th annual WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow awards recognizes a total of 15 tourism stakeholders in 5 award categories showcasing best practices and high standards acknowledging tourism providers that recognize the importance of balancing, people, profits and environmental concerns with industry.

As quoted in the WTTC Press release:

“Sustainable growth is one of the sector’s most pressing challenges and a strategic priority for WTTC. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards showcase the very best examples of how our sector is addressing this challenge and contributing in a positive way to the sustainable development goals and a better world for all. I congratulate all the finalists who are playing such a significant role in ensuring the future sustainability of Travel & Tourism, and encourage the whole sector to learn from their best practice”. Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC.

Early travel estimates for 2017 indicate that once again the industry worldwide saw growth in travel of over 4%,  numbers that are anticipated to continue well into the 2020's and beyond. Now more than ever we need to ensure our tourism assets are protected and managed for the future such that they can continue to be enjoyed by our visitors and our residents.

The WTTC will be sending an expert judge into our region in February for review and adjudication and the winners will be announced in April.

On behalf of the all of us at TOTA, we thank each and every stakeholder for your ongoing commitment to Tourism Sustainability and Responsible Tourism Practices!

It would be outstanding for our region to win this award, however, we know we are all very big winners just calling this region our home.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Start 2018 by Joining us for Business On Tour - Australia

By now you should have seen a few email updates confirming the details of our upcoming Business on Tour taking place February 23 - March 1st in Southern Queensland Country, Australia.

I hope you will consider taking the time to join us as we meet with tourism counterparts to expand our knowledge of industry best practices, meet potential employees and educators, tourism government officials and tourism stakeholders.

For the past several years, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has had a "sister region" relationship with the area of Australia known as Southern Queensland Country. This particular part of Australia shares a great many of our similarities and attributes. They too are an inland region that draws on two major coastal cities for the majority of their tourism visitation. A burgeoning wine area, with an actively developing First Nations product; Southern Queensland Country is also home to many successful festivals and events and have built an incredible Rail Trail product that they continue to upgrade to world-class standards. Their stakeholder base, like ours, is primarily small business owners who are entrepreneurial, creative and very industrious.

When TOTA originally solidified a relationship with the Tourism Authority in this region, I took part in an information exchange traveling to meet with their board, participating in their annual AGM and meeting with stakeholders. Similarly, their CEO visited the Thompson Okanagan and journeyed to many parts of our region interacting with Tourism Representatives, University Students, Government Officials and of course Stakeholders.

The business exchange has been designed to provide Stakeholders with an opportunity to meet like-minded business operators; exchange information, dialogue around problem-solving and discover new and innovative business ideas. It is a chance to experience how things are done on the other side of the world, compare best practices and share ideas. In our experience, there have been many takeaways and much to be gained through learning from each other. We can promise there will also be some fun along the way and a chance to get to know the spirit of our good friends and neighbors in the land of Auz…

As noted above this year's “Business On Tour” will take place from February 23rd - March 1st, with an option to extend your stay on either side, and we can help provide add-on itineraries.

The base program will include meetings with the Tourism Authority in both Queensland and Southern Queensland County, discussions with post-secondary institutions to develop student exchange relationships, tourism industry operator meetings, participation in tours and activities.

The cost for the 7-day exchange including accommodation, meals, ground transportation and activities is $1,750 per person plus GST, not including airfare. Participants will be responsible for their own airfares, however, through our Air Canada corporate partnership, we will be able to extend greatly reduced rates. Additional nights or alternative activities will be at the cost of the individual participant.

Registration deadline is January 25th and there is limited space available.  Deadlines for the exchange are as follows:

• To Register interest email Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com as soon as possible

• Non-Refundable Deposit - $500 plus GST due on or before January 25th, 2018

• 2nd Installment - $500 plus GST due on or before February 1st, 2018 (non-refundable)

• Final Payment - $750 plus GST due on or before February 15th, 2018 (non-refundable)

Airfare bookings will be paid for in full by the participant at the time of booking, however, our team will assist you with special Air Canada pricing that has been provided to TOTA for this exchange.

For additional information, or to book your spot, please contact Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Sustainability starts with every individual

Creating a sustainable tourism destination begins with a commitment by each and every community and stakeholder in the region.  As I have noted before, the work that was done leading up to the Biosphere Responsible Tourism designation for the Thompson Okanagan achieved in early November was just the beginning of an exciting journey that we believe will have wide-spread implications on our long-term successful development as a tourism destination. Those opportunities will begin to be realized as early as this year!

Currently, I am in Madrid, Spain attending and presenting to a worldwide conference on Sustainability highlighting the Thompson Okanagan Region and our focus on this critical issue. This opportunity puts our area of British Columbia and Canada front and centre on the world stage and assists us in bringing forward our message regarding the right tourist at the right time in the right place. It also enables us to connect with other tourism destinations who have learned how best to engage in regional sustainability practices.

Also, this month in Victoria for the first time there is an Impact Conference being held which will bring together government officials, business leaders, special interest groups, tourism organizations, and stakeholders to discuss the issues around climate change, floods, fires, severe winter and ultimately the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry. If you are to attend we encourage you to register for this event.

Finally, in the coming weeks, you will start to see announcements from our TOTA team on how you and your business can take an active role in developing your business in a way that is responsible and sustainable.

This is a team event and together we can make a difference. Sustainability starts with each of us and every action small and large contributing to an enormous change.

We look forward to an exciting year of change in 2018 and working closely with our DMO partners creating a road map that will ensure we all see a healthy and vibrant tourism industry for the long term.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Getting back at it...

January 2018 is well underway and whether your holiday season was short or extended it is now time to get back at it!  The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) Industry Conference is coming soon with registration filling up and you should make sure you don't miss out.

This year’s conference is being held in Kelowna at the Delta Grand by Marriott from March 7th - 9th.  If you have never had the opportunity to attend this event before, this is the perfect year with it being held in the Thompson Okanagan region.

TIABC is our industry’s voice to government, advocating on important issues and ensuring the concerns of tourism are heard and understood. Under the strong direction of its CEO Walt Judas and industry-led board or directors this organization is considered a leader across Canada and is only strengthened by the ongoing participation of its members.

Take the opportunity to learn more about TIABC and set aside time to attend what promises to be an outstanding conference!

For more information and to register for the conference go to http://www.bctourismconference.ca

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Happy New Year and Welcome to 2018

If you are tired of the standard New Year’s lists of things that you are committing to and subsequently ignoring, try selecting and committing to a single word to define your upcoming year. I say select loosely as the word usually finds you rather than the reverse. Interestingly over the years these words, in reflection, have often been very prophetic.  You may be surprised at how hard it is to shake off that one word and how it may propel you forward over the next 12 months.

Write it down, tuck it away, make it your mantra and watch life unfold around it!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | What’s under your tree?

Merry Christmas Day!

I hope today you find yourself so busy with family and friends that you are actually reading this on December 26, 27 or even 28!. With the magic of Christmas Eve now a distant memory and all of the gifts that were once nicely wrapped under the tree ripped open, where do your thoughts turn as the day winds down? You may have received the latest technology or gadget, there may be a selection of toys already used, abused, discarded or worse, broken and the final feast of the season is about to take place which often includes Turkey or other variations on that theme.

Personally, I have always found Christmas Day to be a bit of a letdown.  The build-up and excitement leading up to the "main event" so often turns into the stark realization that tomorrow life will go on as it had previously with all of the highs and lows and little of anything changing.

Truthfully,  I have been known to complain about circumstances in my life from time to time.  Shockingly so many of us who enjoy so much, still find it appropriate to somehow wish for something better something more.  No matter where you find yourself this holiday season take an inventory of your life and you may find that you need to take a step back and realize just how much you truly have to be grateful for.

My Christmas wish this year is that the people we become at the holidays could continue throughout the year. A true gift under the tree would be to realize a  kinder and more generous world with individuals giving more of themselves and really recognizing the needs of those around throughout the entire year.

From the entire TOTA team and my family, I wish you a very safe and happy holiday season and we wish you hope and happiness under your tree at Christmas that will last the whole year through.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | What’s in your wallet?

It is amazing that so much of our world is digitized and yet so many of us struggle with the concept of a digital currency; aka bitcoin.

The hard truth is that several years ago I was offered an opportunity to purchase a Bitcoin for just under $400. Ever the skeptic, (as in I still don't really believe they put a man on the moon), I turned the offer down certain that it was a scam or at the very least a pyramid scheme.  Today that same single Bitcoin is worth $22,700 Canadian dollars. The issue for me, outside of the fact that I am devastated I did not buy bitcoin when they were affordable, is that I don't understand the concept of the currency. I don't understand why that one single online coin is worth so much money today and I don't know why, how or even if, it will continue to grow in value over time.  Without question I am personally guilty of having not taken the time to look deeper into what is actually taking place preferring to pass the idea of Bitcoin off as a passing trend, or something far worse, far more sinister.

On those rare occasions when I do start to search online for more information it does not take long for my eyes to glaze over with terms like block-chain, mining, cryptocurrency or hexadecimal coding. It takes almost no time for my attention to move quickly away from educating myself on bitcoin to something far more understandable and comforting like old episodes of America's Got Talent.

Never the less, whether we collectively understand this currency or not, Bitcoin seems to be coming back into the news time and again. It appears to be somewhat inevitable that either Bitcoin or an alternative will find its way into our imaginary wallets sooner than later.  Here are just a few facts about Bitcoin that may (or may not) lead you to want to learn more:

• Bitcoin has a founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, who decided at the outset there would only ever by 21 million Bitcoins issued

• Bitcoin is entirely digital - no one has a physical Bitcoin

• Bitcoin uses hexadecimal coding making them far more difficult to steal than credit card numbers

• In some countries you can purchase food, clothes and other items using Bitcoin

• In August 2017 Bitcoin split into Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash - which seems to be important however I cannot indicate why

• Some analysts indicate that Bitcoin value could rise to $500,000 per coin by 2030 while others predict the value will drop to $0.00

So, even now after having stayed awake to learn more about this 10 year old and ever growing phenomena I can yet again say that I am besmirched as to what it all means.

I do believe that every trend is worth monitoring and staying open to new possibilities and ways of advancing our businesses should always be top of mind. Could there be a competitive advantage to consider by accepting Bitcoin currency? Maybe not yet or possibly not ever, but we would be wise to stay open to the potential.

In the words of Albert Einstein

"If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Looking for Tourism Champions to Battle Hunger

Last week I heard a startling statistic.  Our BC food banks currently assist over 103,000 people every month, a full third (34,000) are children and these numbers are continuing to grow. These statistics are overwhelming in a province and country of so much wealth and prosperity. While the holiday season tends to bring a renewed focus of effort on this subject with multiple organizations hosting food drives and other initiatives to ensure that the shelves of community food banks are full; it is not a season issue but a staggering problem that is occurring all year long.

It is hard to imagine how much time, effort and energy is spent on the very important role of helping those in unprivileged countries receive the nourishment they desperately need while at the same time realizing so many people we come in direct contact with daily are going to school and work with empty stomachs.

As an industry there are things we can be doing and tremendous examples of our stakeholders finding unique ways to help champion this cause. One outstanding project is happening near Oliver where Arterra Wines Canada (formerly Constellation Brands) where they plant the perimeter of their vineyard in fresh vegetables that are regularly delivered to a few of the area food banks.

BC Tree Fruits in collaboration with the Salvation Army provides free use of their cold storage space to ensure fresh produce can be delivered throughout the winter months and many small independent bistro's and coffee houses host programs such as "suspended" coffee or lunch where patrons pay in advance for a beverage or meal that another can utilize.

The Thompson Okanagan is region of entrepreneurs and creative thinkers who are collectively smarter than this problem and as an industry we have to work to find ways to assist our communities in ensuring that no person goes hungry.

If each of us can do our part, however large or small, to help our food banks and our neighbours we may not be able to fix the need but we will be able to fulfill it.

Individually or through your business help make a difference a life changing difference.

We are looking for Tourism Champions who are taking on hunger. Tell us your story or that of your organization and we will be sure to feature you in our news centre and Manic Monday's

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Millennials and Boomers - unique and yet similar

While you may not think that recruitment brochures and videos are anything novel, we hope when you watch these you might find they have been created slightly different then the norm.

Our teams collaborated with Millennials and Boomers through a series of meetings and interviews, having general conversations about their past, current plans, considerations for the future and identifying potential motivators for employment. Surprisingly or perhaps not so surprisingly we discovered that these two groups often overlapped in their goals and aspirations related to potential job opportunities and many had similar ideas around their "first" or "next" careers.

Frequently both groups indicated that being outside, doing something that made a difference, achieving some form of personal growth, helping others and having variety in the experiences they were having where all factors in their consideration of potential positions. These married nicely with many tourism opportunities and aligning the two became the focus for the video development.

We hope you will take the time to watch and share these videos and to consider their comments as you recruit for the coming season and the coming year.

Millennials and Boomers, they have been raised in vastly different eras, exposed to dramatically different forms of technology and both are navigating their way through life in unique and yet often very similar ways.

Boomer video: https://youtu.be/8-QCOntSkyQ
Millennials video: https://youtu.be/TFfvKgp-Rtg

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | What do they think they know that nobody else does?

Frequently when I am driving in the winter (and for the record I am not considered a slow driver), I have marveled at the number of vehicles careening by me at high speeds. They drive seemingly with little regard for weather conditions, compelled to continue to go well over the speed limit during snow storms, white outs, icy roads and times of poor or limited visibility.  Often I have been heard to say "what do they think they know that no one else does?"

Over the past several days numerous discussions have been taking place around our region regarding the state of our highways in the winter months.  With just a few weeks of snow under our belts we have already experienced road closures, traffic tie ups and accidents both minor and deadly. Overwhelming there is an expressed opinion that our winter road challenges are not the fault of poor road maintenance but rather ongoing irresponsible driving behaviours.  Drivers who believe they know more than others, believe their time is more valuable than others, and worse, believe their lives are more important. The resulting selfishness closes roads, causes long traffic delays, prevents travellers from taking a chance on winter trips and in the worst situations results in fatalities, both their own and others.

Transport trucks are certainly cited as major culprits with a continued neglect by many to chain up when the law clearly specifies they must do so. The result of this selfishness ranges from causing minor inconveniences to devastating outcomes. They are, however, not the only ones who believe that no adjustment is required when driving in winter.  How many SUV's, 4 x 4's and those that would take on mountain passes without proper tires are seen driving at high speeds, passing when it is clearly not safe to do so, sliding across lanes or into other vehicles and then later seen scattered in culverts and ditches.

Winter in our region is a reality, and there will be times when the ferocity of a storm requires drastic measures to ensure the safety of the travelling public, however it is incumbent upon every person that chooses to get behind the wheel of a vehicle to do so with the best of intentions and with the consideration of all that are on those same highways.

For our tourism industry road closures mean business closures. Organizations including the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), Destination BC (DBC), TOTA and community DMO's work closely with various Government Ministries continuously pushing to ensure there is funding for roads to be well maintained and remain open during these harsh seasons; we all work with media outlets to encourage them to provide accurate and measured reporting but we must find a way to hold all drivers accountable. The laws are clearly in place and must be enforced. We must all apply pressure to see that those that are not adhering are met with severe consequences.

What do they think they know that nobody else does?

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | If you want to go far, go together

The above title is taken in part from an African Proverb;  "if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together".

These words so clearly underscore the importance of developing partnerships and the need for our tourism industry to work together to ensure our far reaching success.

An excellent example of this type of collaboration is Canada's West Marketplace which was held last week in Victoria. This travel and business exchange is the result of Destination BC and Travel Alberta working in cooperation to bring their travel trade operators to Canada for meetings on an annual basis.  Now in its 30th year, invited operators take part in a series of one-on-one meetings with stakeholders from both provinces over the course of four days.  In addition, operators are able to experience firsthand many of the products they are representing through pre and post familiarization trips. This annual event is built on a recognition by all parties of the tremendous value and synergy of working in partnership.

Our TOTA team also believes in the critical importance of building partnerships with each of our DMO's as well as our stakeholders.   Over the past few years we have also been pleased to have worked on unique alliances organizations including  go2HR, AtBC, and GreenStep, to name but a few.  We also work closely with our  three major corporate partners including Air Canada, TELUS, and YLW without which we could not accomplish many of the goals that we view are critical in moving the tourism industry forward in our region.

In the months to come, we will continue to look for both traditional and non-traditional partnership opportunities, ones where both parties can clearly see value in working collectively and aligning with the tourism industry.  We encourage you to do the same by building strong ties to your DMO's as well as other industry stakeholders and TOTA.

The value of working together can not be understated, we have far to go and each of us needs the other to get there!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Destination Development starts with every stakeholder

“The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts” - a phrase often attributed to Aristotle and certainly one that has stood the test of hundreds of years. Its philosophy as accurate today as it was when first quoted.

The online definition is quite succinct and referenced below:

It means that there is such a connection among individual items that it is better than what each one would be on its own. This is known as synergy - the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements contributions.

The implication of this statement is never more true than in the delivery of the Tourism Experience. The connection between individual items within your own organization collectively creates the full impression on the visitor and each touchpoint can serve to either continue to amplify the positive or conversely the negative opinion of their overall experience.

Similarly, this continues to be true as a visitor moves through a community or a region. Regardless of the size or scope of the tourism product, providing the guest with exceptional and often unexpected service at every level helps to build a stronger tourism industry and add an extra level of marketing for the destination that would not otherwise occur.

It is, however, every stakeholder’s responsibility to take a role in ensuring quality delivery and creating an environment of exceptional service and truly memorable visitor experiences.

Over the past several years Destination BC (DBC), with the local support of TOTA, has been providing stakeholders with the Remarkable Experiences workshops. This program, which is offered over two full day sessions followed by an hour and a half of one on one coaching, is an excellent first step in taking an active role in the development of this destination.

The next session will be starting this December with the first two day workshop on December 5 and 6 followed by the second two days at the end of January.  

I not only encourage you to register yourself, or a member of your team, in this program, but I challenge our entire region to see how many “Remarkable Experiences Graduates” we can have in the course of the next few year.  As of now, after just 3 intakes we are very pleased that over 60 stakeholders have gone through the program and the feedback has been exceptional.

We are greater than the sum of our parts, and we believe strongly that programs like DBC’s Remarkable Experiences will help make a difference for your employees, your business, your community and, most importantly, your guests.

Watch videos of previous Remarkable Experiences workshops.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | From Impossible to Possible

When the Thompson Okanagan's 10 year Regional Strategy, "Embracing Our Potential"  was completed in 2012 there were a number of foundational pillars outlined that most of you have heard me speak of many times. Key to the basis of the strategy included reducing seasonality through the development of core themes, elevating our first nations tourism products, identifying iconic products that make our region unique, focusing on the travellers desires for personal growth and authenticity, and all of this underpinned through a "Charter of Sustainability".

As we came to the end of this year’s annual AGM and Summit held last week in Kamloops it was apparent that, while there is still much work to be done, many of the strategies we all committed to in 2012 have not only been implemented but are moving forward quickly and are now strongly supported by both stakeholders and government.

Not the least of these strategic efforts, last week the Thompson Okanagan Region received prestigious Biosphere Destination accreditation as a Sustainable Tourism Destination in keeping with the 17 goal areas as outlined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).  The Thompson Okanagan through this process has become the first destination in all of the Americas to achieve certification with the official presentation having taken place in Kamloops on November 1st, followed up with an announcement at the Legislature in Victoria together with our Honourable Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture Lisa Beare on Friday November 3rd. A brief video of the announcement can be found at https://totabc.wistia.com/medias/bu29xh07t7

Thank you to everyone that attended, presented, or in anyway assisted in the success of last week’s AGM and Summit and with the achievement of this certification. It was truly an exciting week for our region and the support and encouragement from each of you as we move forward with what sometimes appear to be impossible goals provides our team the strength and determination to not only take the business of tourism very seriously, but to constantly strive to ensure this region is poised for a long term sustainable future.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO