Manic Monday | It's not too late...but time is running out!

As noted in last week’s Manic Monday there are a number of ways you can engage with activities in our region taking place over the next couple of months but time is quickly running out on two important opportunities:

• This Week Tuesday and Wednesday - GSTC Training Biosphere Adhesion / Committed Company - As part of our Regional Certification tourism entities in the Thompson Okanagan have the opportunity to show their own commitment to sustainable, responsible tourism through the Biosphere Adhesion Program. For information and to become involved contact Mike Overend at industrysupport@totabc.com. As part of your involvement in this program, there will be training provided by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, October 16th and 17th

• Remarkable Experiences - It is not too late to register for this falls Remarkable Experiences Workshop taking place in Ashcroft /Cache Creek with the first workshops taking place October 30 and 31. If you have a tourism business we invite you to register for this outstanding training and if you are a stakeholder within that corridor you may be eligible for Community Futures funding. For more information contact Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com or you can register now

These are both tremendous opportunities and we hope that you will take the time to learn more and to join us. 

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Jump in and Join us...

We often hear that stakeholders want to know how to better engage with TOTA and are interested to learn more about our programs. There are numerous stakeholder opportunities at the moment and I thought I would take the time this week to briefly outline many of the programs currently available:

• Route 97 Guide and Website - Your opportunity to advertise in the 2019 publication is now available. This year's guide will have a strong focus on road trips and loops including maps for each of the driving routes presented. For information on rates and to book your space contact  Simone Carlysle-Smith at marketing@totabc.com

• Biosphere Adhesion / Committed Company - As part of our Regional Certification tourism entities in the Thompson Okanagan have the opportunity to show their own commitment to sustainable, responsible tourism through the Biosphere Adhesion Program. For information and to become involved contact Mike Overend at industrysupport@totabc.com. As part of your involvement in this program, there will be training provided by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, October 16th and 17th

• SuperHost Training - TOTA is pleased to be an approved Superhost provider for our Region. Book your companies front line team for a session by contacting Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com

• Remarkable Experiences - It is not too late to register for this falls Remarkable Experiences Workshop taking place in Ashcroft /Cache Creek. If you have a tourism business we invite you to register for this outstanding training and if you are a stakeholder within that corridor you may be eligible for Community Futures funding. For more information contact Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com or you can register now

• TOTA Annual AGM and Summit - Taking place November 13th and 14th in Osoyoos BC our theme this year is Drive for Sustainability and the speaker line up is outstanding including Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Shawnee Love, founder of LoveHR. Register now!

Those are just a few of the many ways you can work with TOTA in growing and promoting tourism to the region and to your business.

We hope you will find out more....Jump In and Join Us!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | In BC, we are not just Hosts... we are Superhosts!

go2HR has worked hard over the past 18 months re-developing the former SuperHost and WorldHost programs that have been staples in quality service training for the tourism industry for several decades. These front line customer service training programs have been foundational for our industry and the countless individuals who are charged with welcoming guests every day around the province.

While the basis of customer service training ultimately does not change, the delivery of how the information is presented definitely does and go2HR recognized the need to streamline and modernize the course content into the new SuperHost classroom and online training.

TOTA is pleased to announce that it’s now recognized as a SuperHost Training Provider for the Thompson Okanagan region and we are actively working toward ensuring several members of our team become Certified SuperHost Instructors. We look forward to working with stakeholders around the region to facilitate the SuperHost Foundations of Service Quality course for their employees as well as offering classroom sessions at the TOTA office. Updates on dates and how to book your sessions will be forthcoming on totabc.org

Based on the feedback from participants since the program launch, SuperHost is a resounding success.

We encourage you to contact us at industry@totabc.com to find out more and set up training for your team. We are all hosts in our day to day lives, be it at home or at work, so why be just hosts when we can be all be SuperHosts!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | This one is for US ...FOR ALL OF US!

Congratulations to all of us as we are thrilled to announce that our Association and region has been recognized with another major international award this year. At the 25th Annual World Travel Awards which took place on Saturday, September 22nd in Montego Bay, Jamaica the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association was this year’s recipient of North America's Responsible Tourism Award.

As a region, we have for some time been setting new benchmarks and taking on some very serious tourism topics. Topics that are also being discussed and considered worldwide as it relates to the responsible promotion, development, and growth of tourism for today, and more importantly, for the future.

To all of the many groups that are helping to set this vital course such as our Communities and DMO partners, First Nations Communities, Tourism Industry Stakeholders, Provincial Government Ministries, Destination BC, ITBC,  Destination Canada and numerous Corporate Partners and Sponsors.... we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for your support, leadership, vision, and efforts.

Without question, collectively we are a long way from being where we want to be economically, socially, environmentally, and culturally.  But the World is taking notice for our collective and collaborative efforts and, as a result, our region and Province are being noticed for our focus on the important challenges and issues of sustainability.

As I have noted previously, our Certification as a Biosphere Sustainable Tourism Destination by the Responsible Tourism Institute with its connection to the UN World Tourism Organization and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council was an important step in publicly acknowledging the commitment we are making as a region to these areas of Destination Development and Management.

This one is for US....ALL OF US...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Universal Accessibility a topic we take seriously...

If you have been following our efforts on Destination Sustainability you will already be well aware that a key pillar of this initiative is Universal Accessibility; particularly as it relates to helping ensure we are creating tourism experiences that can be enjoyed by all visitors including those with ability challenges.

To assist us in making this objective a reality, we are very pleased to welcome Sonja Gaudet to the TOTA team.  Sonja has joined us in the role of Accessibility Specialist; a position that is jointly funded by TOTA and Spinal Cord Injury BC as well as being strongly supported by Access BC.

Sonja will be working with our industry and communities to help educate and make recommendations on how tourism operators and related experiences can welcome guests with various levels of access requirements. This work enables not only those with short- and long-term injuries better enjoy the region but considers those traveling with babies and small children as well as the growing seniors population that may have needs beyond what our businesses currently provide for.

We could not be more excited than to have Sonja spearhead this initiative. A three-time gold medalist in Paralympic curling, she has had to face the reality of dramatic changes to her own mobility after a fall from a horse left her with severe spinal cord injuries that would ultimately alter the course of her life. Motivating, inspirational and engaging, Sonja is willing to take on what the world presents with charm and grace. Her enthusiasm for life is palpable and her desire to assist those who want to live a fully engaged life, an example of her strong character.

Please join us in welcoming Sonja Gaudet, helping us all take Universal Accessibility seriously.

For more on Sonja's story go to paralympic.ca/sonja-gaudet

Sonja Gaudet (Photo: Curling Canada)

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Just a few moments of your time to answer some key questions....

November 2nd will mark one year since the Thompson Okanagan received official certification as one of only 21 Biosphere Destination's worldwide. Our team’s work and focus on this important file has not stopped since that time.

During the ensuing 10 1/2 months we have worked with our Interdepartmental Committee to identify numerous sustainability initiatives taking place around the region; launched the Biosphere Adhesion program for Stakeholders and Communities; engaged with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to support us with training workshops, which will be taking place this fall; and currently working on the action plan that is required as part of our ongoing certification activities.

In order to satisfy some of the action item requirements we have created a brief survey which we hope you will review and answer.

All of your answers to the questions remain anonymous and the results will be used as an aggregate number when reporting our information back to the Responsible Tourism Institute.

Sustainability is everyone’s business and critical to the successful future of the region. We thank you in advance to taking time to complete these questions and look forward to any questions or comments you may have. 

For more information on the Biosphere Adhesion Commitment for Stakeholders and Communities and how you can become part of this program, which includes the GSTC Training, please contact Ellen Walker-Matthews at industry@totabc.com

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | It actually wasn't just another TOTA Golf Tournament!

When the horn blew to mark this years TOTA Annual Golf Tournament it was unlike any tournament we have held in years prior.

When I challenged our TOTA team to put Sustainability messaging at the forefront of all that we do going forward, including the Golf Tournament, they not only met but exceeded my expectations.

They quickly noted that as a golf course has 18 holes what better way to showcase each of the UNWTO's 17 Sustainability Development Goal (SDG's) areas and utilize the last hole to feature our Biosphere Responsible Tourism Designation.

The result was a day not only filled with its usual share of networking and laughter but an opportunity to provide new insights and learnings along the way. And thanks to our Accessibility Specialist every golfer also had the chance to understand what it felt like to tee off using a piece of specialized equipment known as a paragolfer; this actually resulted in some much improved drives!

Thank you to all of the many sponsors  who contributed to the success of this year’s event and assisted us in telling a sustainability story along the way. We were thrilled to be able to have many partners and sponsors return and to welcome numerous new organizations.

To all of those individuals and organizations that registered and participated in the TOTA tournament, a heartfelt thank you, this event would definitely not take place without your continued support!

On a personal note, my thanks to all of our TOTA team who worked many hours in addition to their ongoing work to ensure the day was very special.

Drive for Sustainability, a passion that you will continue to hear more and more about and a vision we are not going to be backing down from.

It was a tournament that we will remember for a long time to come and far more than just another TOTA Golf Tournament. 

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Not Another Travel Website...

The team at TOTA are very excited to announce that our new site, ThompsonOkanagan.com, will go live today and we look forward to our industry stakeholders and partners taking the time to review this site and provide us feedback.

This consumer-facing site has been created, not as a travel website, but rather a medium by which we are able to more fully convey our message of sustainability; its importance and significance to our region and how our collective efforts are aligned to ensure the Thompson Okanagan grows tourism in a responsible and sustainable manner.

ThompsonOkanagan.com will be highlighting tourism stakeholders, their stories and initiatives, taking place throughout the region that are helping to inspire and assist us in collectively moving forward the 17 Sustainable Development Goal areas, as outlined by the UNWTO. The site will also provide an opportunity to showcase communities and stakeholders who have shown their long term support of the region’s economic, social and environmental sustainability, by formally agreeing to participate in the Biosphere Adhesion program as Committed Companies.

ThompsonOkanagan.com is not another regional travel website, but rather a portal that will allow the region to showcase a much deeper and richer story of who we are and what we stand for as a destination.  Whether showcasing sunscreen products that protect the skin while simultaneously protecting our lakes; or highlighting wineries that grow produce within their vineyards, for distribution to regional food banks, there are incredible stories to be told around the region that we know, can and will, set us apart in the competitive world marketplace.

We encourage you to visit ThompsonOkanagan.com, we encourage you to get involved through the Biosphere Adhesion Program, we encourage you to send us your stories of Sustainability.

For more information and to get involved contact Ryan Scott, Digital Marketing Specialist at digital@totabc.com or (236) 361-4431.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | It isn't always easy but we are a resilient industry!

Last week the Province of British Columbia has had to once again take the step of declaring a Provincial State of Emergency as upwards of 570 wildfires now burning across the province

As we move quickly toward the end of the summer season not surprisingly we have been met by hot, dry conditions, several serious dry lightning events and antagonizing winds. The result has been not only significant numbers of regional wildfires but unprecedented smoke that has cover much of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

In early July we at TOTA enacted our own Emergency Plans our team has been in direct daily contact with the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centres in our Region as well as communicating with the Regional Districts, BC Wildfire, Destination BC, Community DMOs, and the Province.

We understand these circumstances can bring negative media attention, we encourage you to remain accurate in your messaging, and to use clear, and up-to-date information from official sources only. We also will continue to work with all of you on reposting your real time photos through our extensive social media network utilizing “#realtime” and will continue to send regular emails with updates as they become available.

It is important that all of our industry and industry partners ensure our messaging is honest and accurate. We will continue to focus on "being open for business",  ensuring those areas that are unaffected are highlighted and providing information on the many activities to enjoy throughout the entire Thompson Okanagan.

The smoke will dissipate and the fires will come to an end and we will have our beautiful and scenic region back to enjoy for both residents and visitors. Plans are currently underway to develop strong fall messaging inviting and inspiring guests to come back and experience all that the Fall and Winter offers in the Thompson Okanagan.

In the interim, please continue to monitor all of the sites available for up to the minute information.

• The BC Wildfire Service has set up an interactive map of all active wildfires across the province. They also release the latest wildfire information on their Facebook and Twitter

• Emergency Info BC has a provincial Twitter account with up-to-date information about current wildfires and other emergencies in BC.

• Drive BC provides information about road closures and delays, posting updates on Twitter and website.

• Environment Canada is the resource for latest weather information, statements, and air quality advisories.

• The provincial website has up-to-date information about fire bans and restrictions throughout the region.

• For a map of all affected properties in the Central Okanagan, visit CORD’s website.

• Evacuees can register with the Red Cross by going to redcross.ca/gethelp or by calling 1-800-863-6582

• To report a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association would like to extend our support to the communities and industry in this time of need. Please let us know how you are doing, what you need, and how we may be able to assist.

We are a resilient industry and we know how to work together to ensure that our businesses large and small can survive and thrive through the challenges that are presented along the way.

Continue to focus on providing the best experiences you can to our visitors and stay safe.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | August 30th will you choose to work or to play?

There is no better place to be on August 30th than with your other industry partners at the Annual TOTA Golf Tournament.  Black Mountain in Kelowna is our host for this years event and we are certain you will have a fun, relaxing and entertaining day and may well learn a few things along the way.

With our theme of ‘Drive for Sustainability’ we have some new and tremendous sponsors and partners helping to make the entire event engaging and worthwhile. We will also be sharing the 17 Sustainability Goals at each hole with some associated items to win on every drive.

Of course, as well as great prizes, our live and silent auction items that are available for bid during the BBQ dinner and provided through the generous support of our stakeholders from around the region include a houseboat trip from Waterways!  BONUS : If you missed out on the early bird draw for 2 Air Canada Tickets, we are pleased to advise that Air Canada has made 2 more tickets available for anywhere in North America that will be part of the live auction.

August 30th is just 2 1/2 weeks away and the choice is yours - to work or to play. We hope you will take the day to join us, network, learn a little, win a few things and enjoy some well earned time off after a hot hot summer!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | SAVE THE DATE – Already!

It is hard to believe that while we are just half way through our summer season, in less than 17 weeks we will be together with stakeholders, communities and partners at the annual TOTA AGM and Summit.

This year we are looking forward to being in Osoyoos at Spirit Ridge Resort November 14th and 15th with what we hope you will find is an incredible line up of speakers, education and information. Registration for the AGM and Summit will open September 1st however we will be sending out details over the next few weeks on the program and we encourage you to Save The Date on your calendar.

As most of you are aware throughout 2017, 2018 and 2019 much of our work has been focused on our regional Drive for Sustainability and this will continue to weave its way through all of the activities leading up to and during this year’s Summit.

Each week prior to our November conference we will be examining one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goal areas (SDG’s) that are the basis for our Biosphere Certification and our work with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. We will be providing information on each goal area and relating it to the work that we can collectively do in tourism that will help support these goals.

About The 17 United Nations Development Goals

In 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to a more sustainable future with the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals have the mandate to fight inequality, reduce climate change, strengthen economic diversity, share authenticity, and protect the natural environment. The World Tourism Organization adopted these principles as the foundation for a more sustainable tourism industry and has focused on the importance of collaborative efforts within community and regional destinations. These efforts our based on grassroots initiatives that provide benefits to local populations and endorse a global shared vision for responsible development.

Watch for the upcoming review of the Goal areas each week in Manic Monday and be sure to SAVE THE DATE for this year AGM and Summit

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Staff Shortages - What Could you be Doing Differently...

In conversation with a number of stakeholders over the past few weeks it is clear that staff shortages continue to be a growing and escalating concern around the region. This is not a trend being experienced in the Thompson Okanagan, but is occurring throughout the province and the entire country and it is not limited to tourism but felt widely through other industries as well.

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet or panacea that will ultimately fix this situation, however, in speaking with our colleagues at go2HR they had some excellent comments and questions that businesses should be considering as this labour challenge continues in to the foreseeable future.  We encourage you to take time to review and reflect on how your business is faring and what possible changes you could make to improve employee attraction, retention and retraining. Remember, this is not a short term situation nor something that will have a quick fix, but there are businesses that are dealing with it better than others....what can you be doing to make sure that it does not happen to you?

Thank you to Arun Subramanian of go2HR for the following considerations:

1. Despite all the talk about shortages, some employers still maintain they are okay…what is it they are doing and how can you implement similar actions?

2. Recruitment should be a perennial activity- not something to be engaged in just when you need to hire someone- it needs to be strategic and deliberate

3. Business is booming- in all industries- with increased need for staff; how does your business differentiate itself

4. Demographic shift

   • Youth population has been steadily declining since the beginning of this decade and is set to plateau only by the middle of the next decade

   • A third of our industry’s workforce is youth (13% in other industries)

5. Do you listen to your employees? Understand their needs?

6. Do you know the profile of an “ideal” employee? Where can you find people of that profile? Target your efforts

7. Do you offer the best you can to your employees?

   • Flexibility

   • Training

   • Growth

   • Housing (even help finding it would be appreciated)

   • Rewards and recognition

   • Positive workplace - Open communication, fairness, safe workplace

8. Culinary- are you hiring/supporting apprentices? Engaging with culinary schools?

9. Increasing efficiency- using technology (e.g. Online check in at hotels, like the airlines), reducing complexity (simpler dishes/menus e.g.), outsourcing (e.g. hotel banquet areas/restaurant run by a caterer)

10. Connecting with opposite season employers

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Guess or Google?

Recently, while attending a workshop in Vancouver, a spontaneous lunch conversation broke out around the eroding capacity for people to know how to "guess".  The discussion centred around why it should even matter, when just about anything you could ever want to know can be answered by Google, Wikipedia, and Alexa. These, and other, AI products are slowly replacing our need and desire to consider a question and try to determine the answer on our own.

On the surface, it seemed a rather innocuous subject, however, over the balance of that day, and those days that have followed, it is a question that has continued to haunt me. Just how much are we loosing as human beings when we allow the many technology-based sources around us replace our own ability to think. How much intelligence over centuries have we given up to modern devices and is there a resulting long-term and damaging effect? Consider the fact that we already may be less intelligent than those that have come before.  Our indigenous peoples listened and learned from the land, the seasons, the animals and nature; our own forefathers were able to use the stars for navigation and our grandparents could do math equations in their heads. Today, we would rather ask Siri what the weather is doing than to look outside and trust our own senses.

Perhaps it is time to stretch our minds and re-ignite the ideals of wonder, reflection, and contemplation. Before you head for your iPhone or allow those around you to do the same, take the time to think about the answer, to guess the answer, and to challenge others to try as well.  It is still true that while many answers can readily be sourced through our numerous devices there are questions large and small that even the most advanced machines can't answer.

Try a Guess before you Google........

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Who Let the "Dogs" Out ....really????

With the sudden and shocking announcement of Greyhound ending service in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan the news media has had continuous and widespread commentary on the many reasons why and how this could possibly have happened. It is almost inconceivable that this long standing and once very prosperous organization finds itself in the position of closing its doors in so many Canadian locations and all but eliminating a very important transportation access option in our region. Greyhound has been an invisible silver thread that has connected our 90 regional communities and made it possible for residents and visitors alike to navigate our vast Western Canadian landscape.

It has been argued over the past week that the company did not adapt with the changing times; that low cost air carriers have had a direct effect on bus ridership and that business volumes have declined as much as 40% in recent years. Others have cited that pick up times and locations were factors; such as 4 a.m. departures out of small town gas stations, where people often felt unsafe. On the courier side of the business, while it is possible that the "Amazon" factor has played a role in declining revenues it must be said this did not help that the Greyhound Courier Brand that their pick-up and delivery locations were not open after 5 pm and closed on weekends. That is a service level that is an unsustainable model.

However, perhaps we also need to dig a bit deeper to understand other, and far more concerning, issues that may have been at play. What, if any, was the effect of Wall Street and the antics of stockbrokers coupled with back room deals and corporate takeovers?  How did the sale of Greyhound to Laidlaw and then to a UK based organization play a role in where they find themselves today?  Was the writing on the wall when they moved their once Calgary based Canadian head offices to Houston.  Was the biggest issue that ultimately faced the company the rumoured corporate loans taken out against a once strong balance sheet and the resulting exorbitant payments to shareholders that really contributed to what is happening on the ground today?  Perhaps we will never know, perhaps I am overly cynical, but it is a fact that we have seen this story play out before our Country and we will watch it happen again and again until we root out the real issues at hand.

For now, we have a transportation and access gap that will need to be addressed in the immediate future and TOTA will be working with our partners to find solutions to do just that. There is no question that regional bus service is required and that there are operators ready and willing to take this on.  Operators who see a viable and growing business opportunity for the short and long term and have strong business cases.

So once again, it does beg the question...Who Really Let the Dogs Out?

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Kettle Valley Rail Trail Continues to be a priority...

The Thompson Okanagan is truly a world-class destination, however, we believe there is still much more that can be done to reach our full tourism potential and enhance the quality of life for visitors and residents alike.  One such opportunity is our rail trails network across the region and in particular the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVRT) system which connects to the "Great Trail" that crosses Canada.

TOTA and our partners are committed to developing the KVRT into a world-class export ready rail trail tourism experience.  The first priority in this effort is focusing on the segment of trail from Midway at Mile ‘0’ to Little Tunnel near Penticton.  Realizing the trail’s tourism potential will yield desirable tourism benefits (rural community development, economic growth and diversification, improved local recreation opportunities) to industry and local communities along the trail. Though the goal is clear, and despite the significant visitation on the trail already, there is a need to take a strategic and coordinated approach to enhancing the trail experience and improving management of the trail.

TOTA, in partnership with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, are moving forward with the preparation of a Master Plan for the Midway to Penticton segment of the KVRT over the next 6 months. The Master Plan will be focused on determining what needs to be done along the trail and with the management of the current trail use in order to optimize its tourism potential while also improving the recreational experience for local users.  Development of the plan will be a collaborative effort with trail user groups, stakeholders and local Indigenous communities along the trail.

McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. (MCSL) will lead the master planning process. They are experienced trail, outdoor recreation, and tourism planners and will help ensure the planning process is collaborative and lead to an outcome that will help see the fullest tourism potential of the trail.

Should you have any questions about this initiative, you are encouraged to contact Mike Overend – Destination Development Program Specialist at 778.721.5462 or via email at industrysupport@totabc.com.

The Rail Trails were a significant part of the past and we know they can play a major role in the future!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Bon Voyage and Welcome Aboard...

After almost seven years we said farewell to our friend and colleague Howard Grieve, who officially retired from TOTA and his role in Travel Trade and Media this past Friday, June 29th.  Howard was a dedicated tourism professional whom we all enjoyed working with and who will be missed by our entire team, his associates at Destination BC, and by all of our many tourism stakeholders around the region. We know in the coming weeks and months Howard will be found out travelling the region on his motorcycle and checking in on many of you to see how things are going. He may be retired, but we know tourism is in his blood and he will never be far away.

As difficult as it was to say our goodbyes to Howard we are also very pleased to be announcing two new members to our TOTA family who we know will continue to help move us forward not only Travel Trade and Travel Media, but in the Digital and Social space as well. Please help us in welcoming Carla Young, Travel Media and Digital Marketing Specialist, who has recently moved to the Okanagan from Regina where she had worked with Tourism Saskatchewan. Also joining our team is a face that many in the industry will be familiar with, Ingrid Dilschneider, who has accepted the position of Travel Trade and Digital Marketing Specialist. Ingrid, as some of you will know, has lived and worked in the region for many years and most recently was a business development manager at Predator Ridge Resort.

We know you will support both of these individuals in their new endeavors and look forward to watching them continue to develop relationships with our communities and stakeholders and to find new and innovative ways to bring our products and services to the Travel Trade, Travel Media and the online Digital and Social world.

And so we say.... "Bon Voyage ......and.....Welcome Aboard"

Howard Grieve

Carla Young

Ingrid Dilschneider

Carla Young, Travel Media and Digital Marketing Specialist

Carla comes to TOTA after 12 years at Tourism Saskatchewan.  Her roles have ranged from travel counseling, travel media, travel trade and digital marketing.  Her experience in Saskatchewan has given her a deep knowledge of the tourism industry and tourism marketing trends. Carla is excited to get to know the Thompson Okanagan region and to bring her skills to the team.

Ingrid Dilschneider, Travel Trade and Digital Marketing Specialist

From luxury resorts and wineries to one of the Thompson Okanagan’s signature golf resorts, Ingrid Dilschneider has worked with some of Western Canada’s best-known tourism products.

Ingrid’s 35 years of experience in hospitality, with such brands as Fairmont, Delta, and Mission Hill Family Estate, included positions in marketing, communications, special events, and operations. She’s probably best known for her eight-year tenure as the Director of Business Development at Predator Ridge, one of Canada’s top golf communities.  The Vernon-based development is home to two championship golf courses, a luxury resort, and more than 700 year-round homes.

In addition, Ingrid’s passion for tourism led her to be heavily involved in both Municipal, City and Provincial tourism boards where she worked hard to ensure tourism remained a top priority in all sectors. Her most proud accomplishment in this realm was being part of the Tourism Industry Association of BC Task Force, where they worked with industry to help mold what is now Destination BC.

In the summer of 2017, Ingrid began a new chapter in her life, launching her own marketing and special events company where she specialized in affordable marketing services for small businesses. Her company’s success reflects her hard work while helping her clients maintain their passion for their product while she navigated the mysteries of marketing for them.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Learn, Build, Open Up, Set an Example – Together

LEARN about Indigenous culture
BUILD new & better relationships
OPEN UP to new opportunities

Last Thursday throughout Canada we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. Several of our TOTA team attended celebrations that took place throughout this region.  The day weaved together ceremony with celebration, festivity with sombre reflection, timeless rituals with modern adaptations, and all were accompanied by various traditional foods, music, artistry and dance. These events, large and small, were joyful, poignant, at times solemn reminders of a history that has been anything but picture perfect. Our team took great honor and appreciation in having the opportunity to take part these gatherings.

Indigenous Peoples Day has many meanings for many people. For some, it is a celebration of culture.  For others, it is a time of reflection of tremendous loss as well as an opportunity to recognize some of the positive gains that have been achieved. Without question Indigenous Peoples Day carries an ever-growing importance that reflects the significance of the Indigenous role in this lands’ past as well as its future.

For the non-Indigenous, we have an opportunity now, more than ever before, to engage, to listen, to learn and to start a renewed relationship. These communities are rich with stories, anchored by spirituality, connected and respectful of mother earth, and driven by a resilience that has helped them endure a long history of struggle. Taking the time to discover and understand this culture and how it has survived will continue to bring us closer together as people and as a country.

The Thompson Okanagan region is home to three separate Indigenous nations: The Syilx, The Secwepemc, and The Nlaka’pamux. The relationship TOTA, in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), share with these nations continues to grow and deepen.  In 2017, our first Indigenous Board Chair was elected, Frank Antoine, who is a member of the Secwepemc nation and has played an instrumental role in guiding and mentoring our organization through his mindfulness and thoughtful approach to life.

As I reflect on Indigenous Peoples Day and the reports I received from the TOTA team’s experiences in attendance at the Day’s festivities, I am reminded of the tireless work that has been done by so many to bring us to where we are at this moment in time. The foundation is being laid for a strong, vibrant and healthy Indigenous culture and each one of us can play a role in helping to move this vision forward through education, engagement, support, participation and understanding. By taking the time to get to know your Indigenous neighbours through all of those avenues, you will find that not only are you helping to make positive change occur, but your own life will be greatly enriched.

Our Syilx people have an incredible Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, and an amazing Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna. The Secwepemc people have the awe-inspiring Quaaout Lodge in Chase and the historic Secwepemc Museum in Kamloops. The Nlaka’pamux people have both the delicious Kekuli Café and the inspiring Nlaka’pamux Creations next door to one another in Merritt. No matter where you call home in our region, there is Indigenous culture for you to explore.

We are all better together, succeed together, and can set an example for the world together.

LEARN about Indigenous culture
BUILD new & better relationships
OPEN UP to new opportunities

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Beige on Beige or a Flash of Green

Tourism is one of the most unique and interesting industries in the world. It brings people together, improves communications, builds relationships, provides education, is an outlet for cross-cultural experiences, promotes understanding and in doing so creates a vehicle for peace.  And notwithstanding all of these lofty outcomes, Tourism can also bring tremendous fun and joy to those that choose to travel.

On the other hand, many of us that work in tourism are often seen as a bit beige on beige. While we have important work to do and we all want to be taken seriously, we tend to get caught up in the seriousness of tourism. Of course, it is important that we ensure the industry is seen for its tremendous impact to the GDP and that it earns its rightful place in the world business community - but sometimes we tend to lose our own vitality in all of that heavy lifting.

What drew us to this industry in the first place? Many will answer that question with a response that they "loved” to travel. Yet so many of us that are in the industry find little time to do that anymore. What is worse, when we do travel for business, we rarely, if ever, take the few extra days to explore the destination we are in.

I encourage you to take time this summer to start to make a change and to begin to do all those things you have put off for someday ... to this day.  We don't know the length of our journey, but we do know that it is not going to be as long as we think it should be. You live and work in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Find what drew into this industry and recapture the travel bug.  You won't be disappointed.

On that note, one easy way to have some fun this summer is to join us for the 27th Annual TOTA Golf Tournament taking place August 30th at Black Mountain Golf Club. Take off the business attire, leave the summer madness behind. Tourism folks can be so much fun and so much more than the beige on beige we can be known for ... let’s throw out the beige on beige and replace it with green on green!

Enjoy your summer and see you August 30th...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | A Great Loss….

With the sudden and unexpected death of Anthony Bourdain this week it was once again brought home that no matter what one’s life circumstances are or appear to be on the surface, even the most unlikely of individuals can carry with them an intolerable weight and sadness.

To the world, this man lived a life that most of us can only dream of. He was the ambassador of food and travel.  Through his worldwide adventures he brought incredible stories to his viewers. His approach was far more than a travelogue or a culinary show, his was a story of the people, the communities, the authenticity of a unique and diverse world.

By breaking bread and swilling a vast array of beverages Anthony Bourdain was able to create camaraderie, a kinship with the people he visited which translated through to those that watched from the comforts of home. He appeared to be genuinely fascinated by everything, and everyone he came in contact with and this passion flowed through to the viewer.

Like others, however, this passion was not enough to carry him through his pain. Did people around him know, did they try to help, did they understand the challenges that would bring him to his decision to end his life? It is not something we will ever likely have answers to.

There is none among us that do not carry a tremendous burden. Some are better able to cope, some are better able to bury their challenges.  Individually we cannot fix the world but we can try to lighten the load of others. It can be as small as a kind word or even a smile, a thoughtful gesture or an offer of assistance.

I am not going to forget the passing of this travel industry leader and partner for a long time, but I am going to use him as a reminder to be a kinder and more compassionate to others.

There was an excellent video this week on a convocation speech by CNN Anchor Jack Tapper to the graduating class of UMASS AMHERST. His words seem most seems fitting to include here. It was a powerful and simple message, BE KIND, BE RESPECTFUL, MEAN IS EASY, THE HARD HEARTED ARE COMPENSATING. .Perhaps if we employ some of Dr Tapper’s message into our daily life we will be able to help each other in carrying the loads we bare.

Farewell to a man that did a lot for tourism and the world. I, for one, hope you find your peace.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Yes! Tourism Matters

There is a feeling that can best be described as awe-inspiring when you step into any one of our historical government buildings located across this country. Whether you are visiting the House of Parliament in Ottawa or in our own Provincial Legislature in Victoria the magnitude of the work that has taken place during this country's brief history, always causes me to take pause.

There has been incredible dedication by countless men and women to blaze a trail for our country, our provinces and our territories and it is something you can't help but feel as you walk through every hallway, corridor, office or public area in these monumental buildings. Individuals whose tenacity, perseverance and vision for what could be possible all helped pave the way for a Canada and British Columbia that has grown into a strong collective union over the past 151 years; this coming July 1st, 2018.

It was therefore very special to once again be in the BC Legislature this past week (watch video), invited with other members of our tourism industry, to speak to the important role of that Tourism plays in our Provincial economy.  With National and Provincial Tourism Week a focus across Canada, the opportunity to present the value of this industry to our politicians in both public and private sessions was a significant move forward in ensuring that government understand and engage with the needs and concerns of our stakeholders.

The Tourism Industry is big business, contributing well over $7.4 Billion dollars to the Provincial Gross Domestic Product and employing more than 128,000 British Columbians, and these numbers are growing at staggering rates. Yes, Tourism matters! Tourism provides new money into our communities and generates economic growth into all areas of our region both large and small. It employs our youth, our seniors and the wide spectrum of ages in between. Most importantly it helps all of us to better understand ourselves and our history; to appreciate our culture, natural beauty, diversity and what it truly means to be Canadian and it helps to develop and grow national pride and unity in a way that no other industry is capable of doing.  The benefits do not stop on our doorstep as the Tourism Industry helps to tell our story to the world.

Without question, our forefathers and mothers as they debated the future of Canada did not foresee tourism as a critical component of the nations future. That vision has changed and our collective efforts are helping to make that change possible.  We may not have had a large part in the past but we know that those who will come after us will one day learn of the pioneers that helped shape this future and we know that it will be our hardwork and dedication that will make up part of the that new history.

#TOURISMMATTERS. #BCTOURSIM MATTERS

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO