Manic Monday | Life-Long Learning

For me, September always feels like a new year and this also means back to school for many making it the perfect time for industry workshops. "Life-Long Learning" is not only a great phrase but more importantly a reminder to us all that now, more than ever, each of us need to continue to keep up with rapidly changing trends, information and technology.

While it is never easy to find the time to remove yourself from your day to day work and focus on training, it is critical that each of us in the tourism industry ensures we take the necessary steps to stay and remain current.

There are a number of workshops taking place this fall and into the new year and registration is open for several of them. Please take the time to look for programs taking place in your area of the region and feel free to contact Ellen Walker-Matthews or Mike Overend in our Destination Development team at industry@totabc.com for more information.

Here is a brief overview as well as registration links to upcoming workshops:

Grow with Google

Providing resources and tools available through Google that can help your business thrive, including Google Analytics, Google My Business, Google Ads, and others through a series of free workshops. This program is intended to support small businesses grow and succeed online by providing training, resources, and support materials for a variety of Google products.

Includes: Three workshops (Reach Customers Online with Google, Get Your Business Online, and Using Data to Drive Business Growth) delivered in one 5-hour session. Learn tools and tips that your business can use and get answers to some of those burning Google questions you may have from our digital team.

• Clearwater on October 8, 2019. Registration deadline is October 1, Register here.

• Kamloops on October 10, 2019. Registration deadline is October 3, Register here.

• Penticton on October 29, 2019. Registration deadline is October 22, Register here.

• Osoyoos on January 22, 2020. Registration deadline is January 15, Register here.

Content Marketing

This is dedicated time to work on your content marketing strategy, away from your business and in the company of other industry members, giving you exposure to regional connection opportunities. The workshop will incorporate interactive, hands-on activities that will get you started on developing a solid strategy to engage and convert new customers.

This session is for business owners and/or marketing staff of tourism businesses, organizations, and community tourism and experience sector organizations who are already engaged in content marketing and want to rev up their efforts. A workbook is provided. Cost is $29/per person plus tax

• Kamloops on October 23, 2019. Registration deadline is October 16. Register here.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Sustainable Tourism on the World Stage

It is a tremendous honour to have been invited to attend the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) 23rd General Assembly taking place this week in St Petersburg, Russia.

There is representation at these meetings from around the world with more than 150 countries taking part.

The focus will be on sustainable, responsible tourism development and delivery which is now considered to be fundamental to the well-being of the tourism industry for the long term. Best practices, challenges, issues, concerns, and debate should result in tremendous learning, and clearer approaches to forward-thinking in the managing of tourism assets.

I'm very excited to announce that later this week the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association will also be recognized at the UNWTO Awards as one of three finalists, among an original field of over 190 applicants worldwide, for the work that is currently being done in this critical area of sustainable responsible tourism.

There will be a lot to share in the days and weeks ahead to come from these meetings and we will be posting relevant information to the TOTABC.org website and News Centre so be sure to connect with us there for links and uploads.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Playing For A Cause

From all indications, our Annual Tourism Industry Golf Tournament was another great success and certainly, one of the hotter days we have had in years as over 120 participants attended the 28th Annual TOTA Golf Tournament and Dinner.

There was certainly no lack of fun, laughter, sunscreen, and beverages as teams came out to support many important causes.

As always, proceeds are used to help support the student bursaries which TOTA awards each year to students from TRU, UBCO, and Okanagan College. However, this year, as most of you are aware, our Chairman Frank Antoine and his family have a seriously ill young baby boy and some of the proceeds raised at the tournament are going toward their GoFundMe.

Our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors who make this event possible and to Fairview Mountain Golf Club in Oliver which not only provided a spectacular place to play this year's 18 holes but offered great hospitality and excellent food and beverage.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who came out and participated. We know that life is busy and we are still in the midst of our summer season, but without each of you, this event would definitely not be possible.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Listening to the Tourism Industry

Last Wednesday the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Honorable Lisa Beare and Deputy Minister Shauna Brouwer joined us in Kelowna for an insightful industry round table.

With representation from tourism stakeholders in the immediate area as well as all of the regions various tourism sectors, it was an opportunity to share the concerns, challenges, and visions for the future.

In her own words, the Minister was here to listen and to gain a deeper understanding of the important issues that need to be resolved to ensure we continue to grow and enhance the tourism industry.

It is very clear that Minister Beare takes tourism seriously and understands the tremendous importance it plays in this region and the province. Tourism is and can be a strong economic driver for communities large and small and a resource to be appreciated, nurtured and protected.

Our thanks to all of those that took time to join in this conversation and to Minister Beare and Deputy Minister Brouwer for coming to the region.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Supporting One of Our Own

As many of you know it has been a very difficult summer for our colleague, my dear friend, and Chair of the TOTA Board Frank Antoine, his wife Bonnie and the entire family.

Several weeks ago, Riel, their 8-month baby boy was admitted into Vancouver's Children's Hospital where he was diagnosed with cancer and more specifically a malignant brain tumour. Surgery was able to remove some, but not all, of the tumour, and as a result, Riel is undergoing chemotherapy treatments which doctors have indicated will continue into at least January 2020. A long and difficult road.

To be sure, this is every parent's worst nightmare and extremely emotional and stressful time for the family. Frank has rarely left his son, spending each day with him and every night sleeping by his side. On the few occasions when he has left the hospital it is to briefly spend time with their other two young children, who are being cared for by family and friends, or to take a much-needed run to help cope with the overwhelming worry.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help support the family and take away at least part of the financial burden. If you are able to support the Antoines in whatever way you can, thank you... no amount is too small and every gift is greatly appreciated.

Go To: GoFundMe Antoine Family

Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | and the Research Says...

Our research team has been working closely with TELUS Insights for the past 2 1/2 years using aggregated cell tower data to more fully understand visitor volumes and travel patterns into our region.

We are very pleased to say their combined efforts have afforded us the ability to receive timely and relevant visitor data that enables us to compare and contrast regional information month over month and year over year. When we combine these findings with our Explorer Quotient and Prizm information, the market intelligence is some of the best we have ever had to work with.

Updated reports and research will be posted in the TOTA News Centre's Research Spotlight. We hope you will visit this site regularly as our team will be continually updating information and adding other articles of related interest. We hope the information will assist our tourism stakeholders in evaluating their own business volumes against what is taking place regionally.

It is important to note as you go through the findings that the figures are for visitation from out of the region. No travel by residents of the Thompson Okanagan within the Thompson Okanagan is included in these numbers.

If you are interested in more information or at analyzing your business further we encourage you to contact Simone Carlysle Smith in our Symphony Services.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Regional Pledge Survey

Please take a moment to take this Regional Pledge Survey - Your comments are important.

All of us have made a choice to live in the Thompson Okanagan for a reason. Some people were born here and have come to appreciate that no matter where else they travel, no matter what exotic location they have explored or journeyed to, ultimately this area is their best choice to call home. While others have discovered the region on a first-time visit have been visiting the area for years only to have so embraced the lifestyle that they have finally decided to return as residents.

Unquestionably there is a rhythm to the Thompson Okanagan way of life that cannot easily be replicated in other places. We often hear locals and guests marvelling at how you can travel to far away, well known and admired locations, all over the world,  only to realize that you had all of that and more in this incredible region.

In the coming few months we want to better understand the values of our residents in order to help us communicate these priorities to our visitors. It is our goal to capture the essence of all that we hold dear and translate those into a pledge or commitment that we will ask our locals and guests to make to the region.

The first step is to hear from each of you. We ask that you take a few minutes to read through and answer the questions in this short survey. This is your opportunity to confirm in your own words what makes the Thompson Okanagan so special.

Go To: Regional Pledge Survey

As we continue to share all that we have with all that will come to know us, whether they choose to play here or live here, it will become more and more critical that these values are articulated, appreciated and protected for generations to come.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Happy BC Day Weekend...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | The Visitor Network in BC - Powerful and Important

We all know that making sure visitors have the information they need to enjoy their vacation is key to a great stay. Many would say that everything you need these days can be found on the internet, but the 100 plus visitors centres in the province would indicate that spending one on one time with guests is still a very important method for delivering information to travellers.

For many years, TOTA has operated a centre on Highway 97 C known as the Route 97 Visitor Inspiration Centre and it is one of the busiest locations in the province.

Our Manager, Frank Stewart, together with Marla, Darnel, Josh, Emily, Dorothy and Fred are there 7 days a week to provide information and plenty of genuine hospitality to individuals travelling from all parts of Canada, the US, and from around the world. Last year, the Centre welcomed nearly 50,000 people over 5 short months and so far this summer the numbers are up over 15%!

Frank and Marla joined us at the centre 3 summers ago having relocated from Calgary after years in the hotel industry. They have worked hard to make sure that the centre is well managed, spotlessly clean, and stocked with unique gift items that make great souvenirs. Darnel St Pierre, one of two summer students, is with us for his second season, while Josh Bennett has joined us for his first summer. These young gentlemen attend Simon Fraser University and Okanagan College respectively and are both tremendous assets to the team. Emily Baldwin has also been with us for the past two years and prior to that had worked in other visitor centre locations. Emily is very knowledgable about the area and at anticipating our guest's needs. Fred and Dorothy Blunden are the newest additions working with us part-time this year and we hope to have them continue on in future summers.

This group is there for all of the guests that stop in when travelling through the region, but they are also there for you and your business. Take the time to make sure they know about where your business is located and what you have available. If you are able to, drop by and meet them, and if you aren't able to, take the time to meet the team at the Visitor Centre nearest to you. They all share information with each other and have a common goal to service our guests and make sure their trip exceeds expectations. This truly makes the BC Visitor Network, financially supported by communities across the province and Destination BC, to be a powerful and important part of tourism in British Columbia.

The Route 97 Visitor Inspiration Centre is open 7 days a week until August 31st and thereafter is open 5 days a week until after Thanksgiving.

"Dew Drop Inn" 

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | We are all more interesting together...

Everything is more interesting, more colourful and far more meaningful when you add a touch of culture.

Recently, we had a staff meeting where four of our team introduced us to a particular aspect of their history and traditions.  Louisa Li, our UBCO summer student assisting with the Biosphere Adhesion program, introduced us to the art of drinking ceremonial Chinese tea.

It was fascinating to learn about the various qualities of tea leaves, the ageing process and the proper way to brew different types of tea. The similarity to growing and fermenting wine could not be ignored and the reverence around the tea service is something very special. Each of us gained a new appreciation for tea and Louisa has been kept busy brewing ever since that meeting.

Greg Hopf, the Indigenous Tourism Specialist at TOTA, together with UBCO summer student Pala Kovacs who is also engaged in this area, took us through a traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony. As we watched the Sage catch fire and then fill the air with its sweet-savoury essence, they explained the importance this tradition has in all Indigenous communities.

Smudging can be used to rid a person or an area of negative energy, to call upon ancestors for guidance or protection, or as a means to cleanse the soul.  Done by some on a daily basis, at special gatherings, to mark special occasions, or to ready a home for its new occupant, the importance of the smudge runs deep within Indigenous peoples and we were all very honoured to be invited to take part.

Anirudh Kukrety, our practicum student from Royal Roads University in Victoria, has come to Canada by way of New Delhi India. Working on the Sustainability file at TOTA, he also found the time last week to prepare his own homemade butter chicken recipe together with a selection of Naan bread.

Lunch for 20 did not phase him as he happily prepared more than we could eat in one day! It would not be an understatement that this was collectively agreed to be one of the best butter chicken dishes any of us had tasted and while the secret is for sure in the spices direct from India, Anirudh tells us the real secret is in using fewer tomatoes and more cream. Whatever the secret...delicious!

We have all been enriched by this opportunity to learn from those around us and with each new lesson, comes a closer, richer relationship. This is true as we travel and as others travel to visit us. The more we share and explain, the more we all get to know and appreciate each other, our unique qualities, special histories and shared desires the more connected we become.

I want to thank each of these individuals for taking the time to share a bit of their story with our entire team. I encourage others to take the time to do the same.

We are all more interesting, together.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Not Just About Booking But Booking Different!

All of us in the tourism industry are well aware that over the past many years there has been tremendous growth in online booking sites. To varying degrees, whether you fully embrace the concept or not, these sites have become one of the mainstream shelves where the industry is able to sell tourism products and services.

Most recently we have begun working with the site BookDifferent.com, based in the Netherlands. This group, who has collaborated with Raptim Humanitarian Travel, is focused on connecting potential travellers with locations and accommodations that are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism development and delivery. With their bookings growing annually at exponential rates, they know that there is a new breed of traveller emerging who are careful about their choices whether on vacation or business trips.

BookDifferent has also partnered with Green Key International and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to ensure clear and consistent global ratings and labelling of tourism products. Their vision is to "make the world green while you sleep," which aligns clearly with our region's sustainable and responsible tourism development and delivery values.

BookDifferent together with our team has created a section on their website that features our region and highlights the Thompson Okanagan's Biosphere Certification and our commitment to being a sustainable tourism destination. In addition, we are working with them to ensure that the Region’s stakeholders actively involved in the Biosphere Adhesion Committed Entity Program are featured and well represented on this booking platform by helping to upgrade their profile and sustainability ratings on the site.

Travel is changing, travellers are changing and booking different is one way of connecting to those changes.

View Website

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | We are far from perfect but...

July 1st, 2019, Canada's 152nd birthday and the day that most Canadians across the country take time to celebrate the nation. While this country is not perfect, I have to say that after the extensive travel that I had the opportunity to do over the past year, I have never been more proud of being a Canadian.

It is always easy to point out what we are doing wrong, but on this Canada Day, perhaps it is a good time to reflect on a few of the many things we are doing right - things we often take for granted.

For me, top of mind is the tremendous diversity of people, cultures, and history that make up Canada from over 250 ethnic origins. We are countries within a country and all of the opportunities and possibilities that this diversity allows.

The long and dark history with the Indigenous peoples is beginning to turn a page as the truth is being spoken and understood through reconciliation being a collective critical goal.

We are humble, we apologize to a fault and we have tremendous enthusiasm for anything Canadian - just think Raptors..."We the North."

Most of us have access to clean fresh water, good food, well-maintained highways, amazing national parks, backcountry trails, safe cities, rural landscapes, and a bounty of stunning wildlife.

We are not perfect, we have a lot of work to do to live up the reputation we have in the world, but we have the potential and a desire to continue to move forward and be a better nation.

Happy Birthday Canada Day - 152 Years Young...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

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

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

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

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

In 2018 the Thompson Okanagan Region saw:

• 9.6 million (minimum one night) overnight stays

• 84 % or 8.1 million were from domestic markets

• 16 % or 1.5 million were from international markets

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

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

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

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

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

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Crisis Management - Proper Communication is a Priority

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | TOTA on the World Stage with the UNWTO

Last week, I had the honour to attend and represent the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) at the 64th Meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas in Guatemala.

This meeting unites tourism ministers and organizational leaders from North, Central, and South America, and it was a pleasure to be asked to speak at the International Seminar on Destination Management - New Challenges, New Solutions.

I spoke alongside Humberto Rivas Ortega, Professor, School of Engineering in Management of Expeditions and Ecotourism, Chile, and Graciela Caffera, Representative del Este Convention&Visitors Bureau, Uruguay, on a panel moderated by Sandra Carvao, Chief, Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UNWTO. The panel addressed Tourism Destination Governance - New Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), where we shared experiences of successful governance structures and had discussions around the new challenges and responsibilities of a DMO. Throughout the program, it was very encouraging that sustainability, accessibility, innovation, education, and over-tourism are key priorities as the tourism industry considers its future.

There were numerous highlights throughout the week; however,  the opportunity to discuss the Thompson Okanagans sustainability efforts with UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili and share best practices with tourism leaders from countries around the globe was a tremendous privilege.

There will be some exciting announcements to watch for in the coming months between the UNTWO and the Thompson Okanagan region as we continue to advance our collective efforts in sustainability.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Tourism Information Centres not Just for Visitors

The May Long Weekend always feels like the start of the summer Tourism Season in the Thompson Okanagan. Many attractions and activities open up after the long winter and we start to see vegetable and fruit stands coming to life along with other roadside vendors, food trucks,  farmers markets, and more. Everywhere you can feel the anticipation of summer in the air.

It is also when numerous Visitor Information Centres around the region, that are not all open year-round, once again open their doors and welcome our guests.

There are fantastic centers around the entire region offering travel ideas and advice on things to do. Many of the centres also have terrific gift and souvenir items, often sourced from local producers, artists, and companies. While these centers are promoted as "visitor services" they are also a great resource for those of us that live in these communities.

The Route 97 Connector Visitor Inspiration Centre, operated by TOTA, is currently open Wednesday - Sunday until the end of June when it will operate 7 days a week. Located just above Peachland, it is a gateway into the region welcoming more than 40,000 visitors annually. Over the coming weeks, it will be undergoing a number of significant changes to make it even more welcoming, thanks, in part to a BC Rural Dividend Grant.

Take the time to drop into one of the visitor centers around the Thompson Okanagan, you will be surprised about how much there is to learn and even to buy!

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | You Aren't Just What You Wear but Who You Are Representing

Recently while traveling I happened to be sitting next to a uniformed employee who was clearly not working but in transit. I don't know if they had just finished a shift or if their day was about to begin, the fact was, that they were in full uniform complete with name tag and credentials.

Taking a seat next to them I made a couple of casual comments, not intending to make small talk but briefly commenting, positively, on their organization. My attempt at conversation was met with complete disdain, a relatively unintelligible comment, and body language which clearly indicated they were disinterested in any further dialogue. Somewhat taken aback, and even a bit shocked, I turned to my phone as we all do and buried myself in my emails and ignoring them for the balance of the short journey. However, days later I continue to not only ponder the behavior of this ill-mannered individual but to have commented on it with many friends and again, here, in Manic.

Call me old fashioned, but to my way of thinking whether you consider yourself to be on duty or off, you are a representative of your organization when you are wearing their clothing. The attitude this individual displayed not only reflects poorly on them as a professional but additionally caused me to consider the company they work for in a slightly different light. It actually was damaging to the company brand. Imagine all the time, money and effort that goes into creating a brand image only to have it as an employee, in this case, a walking billboard, tarnish that brand so quickly and completely. I liken it to meeting your favorite comedian only to find out that in person they are rude, or worse yet, angry as opposed to funny.

It is something that needs to be considered in the training and development of new employees and a reminder for those that have been around for a while.  We are the company, an integral part of the brand, any time we are wearing company clothing. We are what we wear and who we are representing and if that messaging cannot be controlled other options need to be considered.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | Building a Responsible Sustainable Tourism Industry

Every day the momentum for building a Responsible Sustainable Tourism Industry continues to expand and we are very pleased to announce that our partners at GreenStep Solutions have launched Sustainable Tourism 2030.

This initiative,10 years in the making, will continue to assist the tourism industry with guidance and support in understanding how they are measuring up in their sustainability efforts and will assist them in identifying where and how to make necessary changes and improvements. Foundational to the program is a free online scorecard that can be found at www.sustainabletourism2030.com that can assist businesses in their initial benchmarking.

TOTA will be working closely with Green Step Solutions to see this measurement tool move forward and become widely adopted by our own stakeholders while we continue to advance our industry's commitment to sustainability through our Biosphere Adhension committed companies program.

For more information or to join us on our Sustainable Journey contact Mike Overend at industrysupport@totabc.com

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO

Manic Monday | TOTA Announces Rural Dividend Grant

On behalf of the TOTA Board of Directors and our staff and management, we wish to thank the Minister of Citizen's Services, the Honorable Jinny Sims who joined us in Kelowna last Friday at our TOTA office to formally announce our recent receipt of a Rural Dividend Grant.

These funds from this grant will be utilized to enhance our Route 97 Visitor Inspiration Centre, and together with our Indigenous Communities in the Thompson Okanagan to ensure the stories, history, and culture of our Interior Salish people are appropriately represented.

We appreciate this opportunity to welcome visitors to our region and provide them with a broader perspective on the Thompson Okanagan and the rich Indigenous history which has shaped our region.

Keep watching as the transformation begins and again our sincere thank you to the Minister for their ongoing support.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO