The Good News(letter) | January 21

Through all the changes and uncertainty, we're continuously inspired by the resiliency and innovative spirit of the people behind the businesses.

The Good News(letter) is brought to you twice a month by the TOTA team. 

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Thompson Okanagan

The Kelowna Yacht Club received the 2021 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award presented by TOTA. The Kelowna Yacht Club actively participated in most of the TOTA programs and workshops throughout 2021 that were centered around sustainability.

As a result of the programs and hard work, the Kelowna Yacht Club has implemented Internal recycling program, Participated in the Eco Efficiency Program, Created their “Save Energy” program, and much more.

Best Western Plus Kamloops’s Tim Rodgers was awarded the 2021 Pioneer Award Winner presented by TOTA.

Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel has always operated with sustainability at top of mind. They are a leader in the Best Western Brand Green Program, and Tim Rodgers, General Manager, has been instrumental in making changes throughout the brand. With Tim's leadership the hotel has implemented programs like the green towel option, biodegradable products in their breakfast room, and Lotus Pro, which uses ozonated water to clean and sanitize the rooms.

Four-season recreation is now available at E.C. Manning Provincial Park.

The new Skyview Campground is open with 62 campsites available during the winter and 92 sites during the summer. All campsites have hookups for water, power and sewer, making it the first fully serviced campground for BC Parks.

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Around the Globe

A new electric safari car will aid conservation efforts in Kenya. In order to support the efforts of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, a team of engineers decided to build a special electric safari car. The electric vehicle will be used by one of the lodges in Kenya that participates in conservation work with the organization. Plans are in place for future projects of a similar nature.

Valencia, the third-largest city in Spain, has started measuring and monitoring the carbon emissions that directly result from tourist activity.

Visit Valencia, the city’s tourism board, recently carried out a study that measured the sources of carbon emissions from tourist activity across ten areas, including water management, waste, transport to and around the city, and accommodation. The research found that tourism accounted for 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2019.

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Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2022-01-17

Updates on COVID resources, news, surveys, and more.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, With the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and its many new variants, and the current and ongoing difficulties with regional access due to highway closures and flooding, it’s clear that there’s still a need for complimentary one-on-one business support through the Tourism Resiliency Program. There continues to be new support programs announced, including three last Friday released by the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. As much as $15 million will be provided through the Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund through three streams: B.C.-owned large accommodation providers employing more than 150 people; Indigenous-owned large accommodation properties employing more than 100 people and located on reserve; and the third for tenure and BC Parks permit holders that operate as tourism businesses. These relief grants have been developed to offset fixed costs for large accommodation operators with property taxes, hydro fees for Indigenous-owned accommodation, or assistance for tourism businesses operating on Crown land and in BC Parks with tenure and park permit fees incurred in 2021. Please see below for additional information: Official press release Official message from BCHA Information on application process and eligibility TOTA Resiliency Advisors are staying informed on these as well as other new program resources and changing restrictions and vaccination requirements. If you’re facing new or long-term difficulties, we are here to help support you through this challenging time. Register for Tourism Resiliency Program → About the Tourism Resiliency Program After the Province of British Columbia declared a State of Emergency in March 2020 due to a rise in case of COVID-19, TOTA connected with regional, provincial, and national levels of government and organizations. Together with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, TOTA launched the BC Tourism Resiliency Network on April 27, 2020 to offer support to tourism businesses throughout the province. TOTA leads the regional branch, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program, offering one-on-one advising and information resources for tourism companies in the region. Advisors followed up with resources and support to access financial, digital marketing, human resources, legal, mental health, and business education resources. TOTA continued the Tourism Resiliency Program in 2021. At year end, the Tourism Resiliency Program has supported more than 965 companies through 23,680+ points of contact. There are 26 Indigenous-owned companies and 126 female-owned companies participating in the program. The Tourism Resiliency Program has supported a variety of business categories operating in a range of sub-regions. The main categories were accommodation (35%), Activity / Attraction (24%), Food & Beverage (13%), Cultural (8%). The primary sub regions were the Central Okanagan (28%), North Thompson (15%), South Okanagan (15%), and North Okanagan (13%). Tourism Resiliency Program - By Business Type Tourism Resiliency Program - By Sub Region - The TOTA Team Register for Business Support The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business COVID Updates U.S.A. Advises Against Travel to Canada Residents in the United States are being advised not to travel to Canada due to COVID-19 hospitalizations. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 4 notice to avoid travel to Canada due to the emerging COVID-19 situation. The CDC currently lists about 80 destinations worldwide at Level 4. It says that if people must travel, they should make sure they are fully vaccinated. TIABC has contacted the Prime Minister's Office to enquire about what the Government of Canada is doing to see that the advisory is lifted given the ramifications the advisory has had on the tourism industry already. View CDC advisory on U.S. travellers to Canada → News Highlights Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) Releases Revised Three-Year Strategic Plan The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released its 2022-25 Strategic Plan: Building Back Better, which will focus on revitalizing the Indigenous tourism industry from the ongoing devastating impacts of COVID-19. As the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada recovers from COVID-19, ITAC has set sights on moving forward in the most adaptable and sustainable manner possible, contributing meaningfully towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While COVID-19 has paused the Indigenous tourism industry’s growth, ITAC has revised its targets to build back to pre-COVID levels by 2025, three years sooner than projected. View ITAC's revised Strategic Plan → Destination BC Appoints Alison McKay as Acting VP, Destination Management Destination BC has announced that Alison McKay has assumed the role of Acting Vice President, Destination Management. In her role, Alison will oversee Destination BC’s destination management programs and will also lead the Destination Management team in implementing annual plans, programs and projects; work with the executive team to support corporate-wide projects such as Invest in Iconics, Destination Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and collaborate with Indigenous Tourism BC on projects specific to Indigenous communities. Congratulations to Alison! We look forward to working with you. View Announcement → Tourism Kamloops Job Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tourism Kamloops’ Board of Directors is looking for a passionate leader to champion and drive the visitor economy in Kamloops. As a community champion the CEO will lead with innovative solutions in support of the organization's mandate, our community, and our stakeholders. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Tourism Kamloops is responsible for the leadership and management of all daily operations of the organization in its mission to brand, market, and grow Kamloops as a valuable tourism destination. Learn More & Share Opportunity → Get Involved Support Systems and Emerging HR Practices Survey OTEC and Tourism HR Canada have developed an eight-minute survey to better understand support services available across the country, as well as any innovative practices tourism businesses are implementing to mitigate workforce shortages. The findings of this survey will help to recommend where investments in products or services could/should be made in order to build a toolkit that will help employers or communities address workforce recovery needs. Take Survey → Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Survey of Marketers Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in partnership with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), invites marketers to participate in the second Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Survey of Marketers. The purpose of the research is to understand how diverse, equitable and inclusive the Canadian marketing community is for individuals at all stages of their careers. The findings will help CMA understand how they can cultivate an environment that is inclusive, respectful and supportive of all. Take Survey → Tourism Kamloops Stakeholder Survey Tourism Kamloops is asking for stakeholder input in an annual stakeholder survey. They are seeking feedback on activities undertaken in the past year. This is an important checkpoint to reflect on progress, milestones, and initiatives. Answers will be important in determining areas of improvement and will help to prioritize and formulate plans for the upcoming year. Take Survey → Events & Webinars Creating a More Diverse Workplace → Recording Host: go2HR Invest in Iconics - Virtual Regional Workshops for Indigenous Tourism Businesses → Jan 13 & 18, 2022 - Various Host: Destination BC Capilano University Work Placement Info Session → Jan 18, 2022 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Propel Student Work Placement Program Info Session → Jan 19, 2022 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Host: Tourism HR Canada Tourism Industry Association of Canada AGM → Jan 19, 2022 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM   Storytelling Learning Series | Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna → Wednesdays, Jan 19, 2022 – Feb 2, 2022 | 6:30-8:00 PM   Preparing for Travel & Trade Shows → Jan 21, 2022 | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Host: Small Business BC View Events Calendar → View Webinar Calendar → Resource Roundup BC Hotels, Commercial Recreation Businesses To Receive Pandemic Support   Friday, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport announced that eligible accommodation providers and tourism operators holding tenure and BC Parks permits will now have access to grants to alleviate fixed-cost pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.   As much as $15 million will be provided through the Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund through three streams: For BC-owned large accommodation providers employing more than 150 people; For Indigenous-owned large accommodation properties employing more than 100 people and located on reserve; and For tenure and BC Parks permit holders that operate as tourism businesses. The Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief grants will help offset fixed costs for eligible large accommodation operators with property taxes, hydro fees for Indigenous-owned accommodation, or assistance for tourism businesses operating on Crown land and in BC Parks with tenure and park permit fees incurred in 2021.   Providing financial support for fixed costs was identified in the final report submitted by the Tourism Task Force as a recommendation for those businesses most affected by public-health measures restricting travel and gathering of groups. These supports are intended to help ensure the viability of these businesses through the 2022 winter and spring seasons.   Highlights of the Program: Eligible large accommodation providers can receive up to 25% of property taxes up to a maximum of $500,000 in stream one; In stream two, eligible Indigenous-owned large accommodation providers on reserve can receive 100% of BC Hydro fees, up to maximum of $200,000. Large accommodation providers include hotels, motels, resorts and lodges, including strata hotels. Eligible commercial recreation businesses can receive 100% of eligible tenure or park-use permits under stream three, to a maximum of $200,000. Tourism businesses with tenures under the Land Act or permits under the Park Act, include businesses such as wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, horseback riding, off-road vehicle touring, whitewater rafting and heli-skiing, small destination resorts such as guest ranches or ecotourism lodges, campgrounds and outdoor recreation parks that offer activities such as waterslides and ziplines. Note: Intake will open at 9:00 am January 17th and will close at 11:59 pm February 14th. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.   Learn More & Apply → Government of Canada Support Programs Available for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses The following federal business recovery programs are available to support your business: Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Canada Recovery Hiring Program Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Local Lockdown Program Note: If you applied for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) for period 22 (October 24 to November 20, 2021), you may have been affected by an error in the calculation spreadsheet for wage and hiring support, which erroneously showed they were ineligible for the THRP when they may have been eligible. Read More → Tourism Relief Fund The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses, non-profits, and organizations to adapt operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth. Learn More & Apply → UPDATE: Indigenous sole proprietors are now eligible under the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) with costs qualified on a retroactive basis up to twelve months prior to the receipt of a project application, but no earlier than April 19, 2021. Resources for Managing a Business During COVID-19 The Government of Canada has compiled resources for companies, employees, and self‑employed individuals including financial support, loans, and access to credit. View Resources → Resources for Job Seekers, Workers, and Businesses from Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery As tourism and hospitality businesses kick start their operations, retaining skilled employees, and attracting new workers will be critical to their success. The Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery project is developing tools and resources to help operators respond to this enormous challenge. Tools include: Free self-guided training guides for employees Labour force survey results Resource listings for individuals and businesses View Resources → Cap U Program Available to Assist in Creating Recruitment Strategy In this difficult labour shortage, Capilano University School of Tourism Students are available to help develop business recruitment strategies. The Human Resources class will be working with tourism businesses to create a comprehensive recruitment strategy throughout the month of February. After an initial consultation with the manager, students will analyze your needs and assess opportunities to help you attract a larger pool of candidates. In their report, students will design recruitment policies, audit current practices, and create recommendations on employer branding. They will recommend recruitment sources and present a digital strategy, helping you take a broader talent management approach. They will present their findings to your team via zoom and prepare a comprehensive report. The time commitment for employers is 1-2 hours of virtual meetings. There is no cost to participate. Email Joanna Jagger at joannajagger@capilanou.ca for more information. WORTH Mentorship Program | Register by January 31 The WORTH (Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality) Mentorship Program matches mentees with an experienced leader as a mentor for a 6-month period between February and July, 2022. Mentors and mentees both benefit from improved communication skills, growing their personal network, increased industry & job satisfaction, and the opportunity to learn from someone else. In this program they will also leverage peer-mentoring for all registered in the various events and workshops to further grow your network. In addition to the mentorship, the program includes 2-3 networking events and 2-3 development workshops. Learn More & Register → CanExport SMEs Program Accepting Applications for 2022 Projects To help small- and medium-sized tourism businesses prepare for international markets, the CanExport SMEs program is accepting new applications for projects starting after April 1, 2022. For-profit businesses with $100,000 to $100 million in annual revenue can receive funding up to 50 percent of eligible costs, or between $10,000 and $50,000 per project. The program includes search engine optimization, translation and virtual trade events, and support costs tied to online advertising on social media platforms, online marketplaces and search engines. Learn More & Apply → Destination BC’s Content Marketing Series, Featuring "How To Use a Content Calendar" Content planning is critical to the success of executing your marketing plan. If you have several digital platforms to manage, use this content calendar template to keep on track. Learn More → Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2022-01-10

Updates on upcoming tourism conferences, COVID updates and resources, Big White and Midway videos, and other business resources.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, The year has certainly not started as we all had hoped. However, there is hope that Omicron may mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic and we can look forward to a new normal world in spring.  Upcoming Tourism Conferences There are a number of events that we all look forward to attending and hope that we will be able to spend the time face to face, in person or virtually. Check the websites to learn about when to register, early bird rates, and other opportunities to get involved. Tourism Industry Association of Canada AGM Jan 19, 2022 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM The Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 10:30 am. to 1:30 p.m. PST virtually – details still to come. Become a Member to Register National Indigenous Tourism Conference 2022 Mar 8, 2022 – Mar 10, 2022 Join Indigenous Tourism Canada (ITAC) for a focused conversation on how the Indigenous tourism sector reunites and begins to rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. The theme of the conference is “Building Back Better,” a call to action to operators, funding partners, and industry supporters to join ITAC for a focused conversation on how the Indigenous tourism sector reunites and begins to rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. Learn More & Register → BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference 2022 Mar 9, 2022 – Mar 11, 2022 The Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to bring you the second annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Richmond, B.C with the theme of Kickstarting the Comeback. Gather together to learn, tackle issues, forge new relationships, and work toward resiliency in the face of one of the hardest years for the tourism sector. Learn More & Register → BC Economic Summit - British Columbia Economic Development Association Apr 3, 2022 – Apr 5, 2022 The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is presenting its 2022 Annual BC Economic Summit in a virtual format with the theme of Reconciliation and Resiliency - A Future for BC. This is an opportunity to highlight success stories, lessons learned, share cutting-edge ideas, and engage your colleagues at the premier event for economic development practitioners in British Columbia. The lineup of speakers includes leading economic development experts and peers, panel discussions and interactive discussion forums, exhibits, BC Economic Development Awards, and virtual networking opportunities. Learn More & Register → IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference 2022 (Rescheduled) May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022 IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed. Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors. Learn More & Register → - The TOTA Team COVID Resources New Order Requires Employers to Re-Activate COVID-19 Safety Plans On January 7, 2022, the provincial health officer announced an order requiring employers to re-activate their COVID-19 Safety Plans. Further details on the order are expected within the week. WorkSafeBC provides templates, guidelines, and business support. This replaces the previous requirement for employers to have communicable disease prevention plans in their workplaces. While communicable disease prevention plans and COVID-19 Safety Plans share some of the same fundamental principles, COVID-19 Safety Plans are formal, written plans with more rigorous controls and are more appropriate for periods of elevated risk, such as the one currently faced by B.C. workplaces by the Omicron variant. COVID-19 Safety Plans provide employers with important measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at their workplace. All employers are required to develop or update their COVID-19 Safety Plans to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace. Many employers had COVID-19 Safety Plans earlier in the pandemic, and others may have maintained all or many of the measures from their COVID-19 Safety Plans. All employers are advised to review their COVID-19 Safety Plans to ensure that they are current and aligned with all guidance and orders from the provincial health officer. View WorkSafeBC Resources → Government of Canada Support Programs Available for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Canada Recovery Hiring Program Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Local Lockdown Program B.C. COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant The Province of B.C. has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting BC businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The fund will provide monies to help affected businesses alleviate some financial pressures and help with expenses including rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. Applications for the grant will begin in January with the application process open until the end of February 2022. Businesses can email questions to: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca Learn More → Business Access to Employee Rapid Testing With the intention of keeping businesses open and employees safe, the Province of B.C. has launched Safe Screen BC to provide businesses with the toolkits, resources, and guidance to access rapid antigen tests and set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for employees. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Safe Screen BC will guide businesses through the required application process for provincially available test-kits and support businesses in the set-up of onsite rapid workplace screening programs for employees. Program Eligibility Safe Screen BC supports businesses interested in offering voluntary screening for employees without symptoms in close contact settings. Participating businesses will be asked to contribute a fee to cover the cost of the services provided by the Safe Screen BC program which include: tailored support services to apply for test kits, access to a custom-designed reporting solution, and access to training resources and additional support services to assist businesses with the implementation of onsite rapid screening. Test kits are provided free of charge by the province via Health Canada Rapid Screening Program for employers COVID-19 rapid testing and screening in workplaces. For more information, contact info@safescreenbc.ca. Register for an Information Session to Get Started →  Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business News Highlights Big White "Be Kind" Video Big White Ski Resort has released a video entitled "Be Kind." The key message is to reinforce that we must "Stay safe, be kind and enjoy, because we all want to have fun." Watch Video Village of Midway Promotional Video The Village of Midway in Boundary Country has released a promotional video for potential residents and visitors. Watch Video GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard Achieves GSTC-Recognition Congratulations are in order for GreenStep and the recent announcement of their achievement of the “Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Recognized Standard status.” GreenStep is the only North-American based provider of GSTC-recognized standards for Destinations. The status offers the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standards are used by GreenStep Solutions in their assessment and verification programs which provide tools, resources, and consultative support to destinations and businesses across the tourism industry. The Sustainable Tourism standards enable tourism businesses and destinations to measure their sustainability performance in several key categories: management, social, economic, natural, cultural, and environmental. View Announcement → Schedule a Sustainability Assessment → Kelowna International’s Samaddar becomes Chair of Airports Council Congratulations to Kelowna International Airport Director Sam Samaddar on becoming the Chair of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) as of Jan. 1. A complete list of the ACI-NA Board of Directors and leadership is available on the ACI-NA website. Learn More → Resource Roundup BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program | Apply by January 28, 2022 The new BC Farmers’ Market Expansion Program will support the expansion of farmers’ markets to accommodate more vendors and maintain operations during emergencies to ensure communities throughout B.C. have continued access to food. The one-time program is providing $475,000, with up to $15,000 available for each eligible applicant. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 28, 2022 on a first-come, first-served basis or until available funding has been fully committed. Learn More & Apply → Business Continuity Planning Resources from Invest Kelowna With the surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, businesses need to develop and update contingency plans to continue operations with expectations of up to one-third of staff potentially being off sick. Invest Kelowna has provided resources to support businesses, including templates for business continuity planning, how to address critical elements of your business to protect your cash flows and your workforce, and best practices for business operations during COVID-19. View Business Continuity Resources →   Sell Products or Services through the London Drugs Local Central Initiative London Drugs is offering up centre aisle shelf space in select stores to local small businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19. 100% of all sales will go back to the business or individual helping customers. Small businesses in Western Canada are welcome to submit products for consideration, including health and wellness companies. Read More → Storytelling Learning Series | Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna Jan 19, 2022 – Feb 2, 2022 | 6:30 PM   What is your story? Stories change the world. Stories compel us to action. Stories warm us, soothe us, and teach us. A good story earns us a second interview, a second date, and the loyalty of staff, friends, and family. Your daily experiences and your biography are filled with meaningful, memorable story-worthy moments which make our experience deeper and more meaningful. Join this series and learn story structure, the art of listening, and the power in telling a warm, beautiful, compelling story. Registration for this four-week workshop is $30 (plus GST). New go2HR Restaurant Safety Initiative go2HR's newest restaurant safety initiative provides free resources to prevent the most common injuries in restaurant kitchens and make your kitchen a safer space. Learn More → COVID Impact Report on Francophone and Bilingual Tourism Services in Canada (outside of Quebec) The Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité (RDÉE Canada) commissioned Léger to conduct a study on the evolution of Francophone and bilingual tourism in Canada almost 15 months after the start of the pandemic. The report is based on a web survey of Canadian tourism companies outside Quebec, which offer services in French and in both languages to a Francophone clientele. The results of this report will allow RDÉE Canada and its members to establish a strategy and an action plan to support tourism businesses in welcoming visitors from the French-speaking markets of Quebec, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. View Report (English) →  The Right Amount Responsible Alcohol Consumption Campaign The Right Amount is an initiative for Canadian wineries to promote responsible consumption of alcohol, providing Canadians with tools and information to make informed and responsible decisions about alcohol, and promote drinking wine in moderation. Wine Growers British Columbia encourages all wineries to participate, as industry-wide participation will help the campaign to be truly effective in engaging Canadian consumers and promoting the responsible consumption of Canadian wines. Learn More → Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2022-01-03

Updates on COVID-19, paid sick leave, food delivery fee cap, job opportunities, events, grants, student intern programs, and more.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Chair Hi there, Welcome to a new year and, with it, new and ever evolving changes as we continue to learn to live and work with the ongoing COVID-19 virus and variants. While we had all hoped that by now this pandemic would be behind us, it is clear that is not yet the case. In Dr. Bonnie Henry’s first health briefing of the new year, she made it clear that Omicron is changing the rules yet again and that we must all be diligent in our efforts to reduce the impacts of this new variant on our day to day lives, our hospitals, and our economy. To this end, revisiting, revising, and reinstating COVID plans by all businesses was a key focus. Having updated Communicable Disease Prevention Plans in place is one of the most important ways we can collectively help avoid additional restrictions, closures, and lockdowns. It is also important that we ensure we are using the tools available to mitigate illness including vaccinations and boosters as they become available, wearing properly fitted three-layer masks, continuing with frequent hand washing, maintaining social distancing, and staying home for those who feel unwell.  We have proven our resilience and adaptability as a tourism industry over the past two years and as an organization we will continue to work hard in the days and weeks to come to provide further support to our industry stakeholders, communities, and partners.  We will get ahead of this and we will return to a new “normal” in time with a revitalized and strengthened  tourism industry where we can once again invite the world to enjoy all that we have in the Thompson Okanagan and our beautiful province of British Columbia.  Stay healthy and safe, kind and calm, and please reach out to the TOTA team anytime at Recovery@TOTABC.com. Happy New Year and welcome to 2022. - Michael J. Ballingall, TOTA Board Chair News Highlights B.C. Paid Sick Leave Now in Effect & Industry FAQs Effective January 1, 2022, employees are entitled to employer paid leave for personal illness and injury. This new, permanent paid sick leave entitlement will provide up to 5 paid days and 3 unpaid days of job-protected leave each year for eligible employees. The BC Employment Standards website provides information for employees and employers regarding the application of the new paid sick leave entitlement, including eligibility criteria and how to calculate an “average day’s pay.” To ensure clarity and that industry is prepared with updated policies and training, employers can review the following resources: Government of B.C. Paid Sick Leave Information → Destination BC Sick Pay Industry FAQ → go2HR Illness or Injury Leave FAQ → Officials Warn B.C. Businesses Must Prepare to Have One-third of Staff Absent Due to Omicron B.C. health officials warned on January 4 that many BC businesses could soon be dealing with additional staffing shortages due to the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. With unprecedented levels of transmission occurring in communities, PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry urged business owners to start putting together contingency plans so they can keep operating if a significant number of employees are forced to call in sick. Case numbers have repeatedly broken all-time records in recent weeks to the point that officials estimate actual transmission could be up to five times higher given that testing capacity is at maximum levels. Dr. Henry said the government is not imposing any more COVID-19 restrictions yet, only urging businesses to prepare themselves for potential disruptions. Read the full story → Canada's Tourism Minister Suggests Industry May Have to Rely on Domestic Travel Until Fall The tourism and hospitality sector has been among those most severely affected by the pandemic. An article published by CBC News on December 27, 2021, explained that the federal minister responsible for the industry, Hon. Randy Boissonnault, said the return of international travellers could still be a long way off due to the uncertainty over the persisting Omicron variant. In Canada, domestic travellers account for 78% of tourism spending. But international visitors spend an average of $1,047 per trip, while domestic vacationers spend less than a quarter of that. The sector has contracted by more than 50% over the course of the pandemic, falling from a $105 billion-a-year industry before the pandemic to one worth about $53 billion now. That's a drop of 40% in domestic spending and 8% in spending by international visitors. Industry stakeholders like TIABC's national counterparts, TIAC, say that the sector faces three significant challenges over the next year such as: To simply survive until visitors return The impact of ongoing restrictions on travel A labour shortage brought on by the pandemic Industry insiders say that the labour shortage is not being driven solely by slack short-term demand that will correct itself once borders reopen — that it represents a permanent move away from the sector by key workers. The industry wants the federal government to make adjustments to the temporary foreign worker program and immigration streams to fill the demand for key workers in the sector. Stakeholders say they have to fix the damage done to the reputation of the industry as a result of the pandemic in order to attract new workers. Read the full story → Food Delivery Fee Cap Extended The B.C. government has announced that the temporary food delivery cap, which was set to expire at midnight on December 31st has now been extended until December 31st, 2022.   The cap limits the total fees delivery companies can charge food establishments, helping restaurants to continue to operate and build their own recovery while serving their communities. The cap limits fees charged to restaurants from food delivery companies at 15%. An additional cap of 5% will also be extended for other related fees associated with use of the service, such as online ordering and processing fees. This measure also prohibits delivery companies from reducing compensation for their drivers or retaining staff gratuity, making sure employees will continue to be paid their regular wages. Learn More → Tourism Kamloops Job Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tourism Kamloops’ Board of Directors is looking for a passionate leader to champion and drive the visitor economy in Kamloops. As a community champion the CEO will lead with innovative solutions in support of the organization's mandate, our community, and our stakeholders. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Tourism Kamloops is responsible for the leadership and management of all daily operations of the organization in its mission to brand, market, and grow Kamloops as a valuable tourism destination. Learn More & Share Opportunity → TOTA Job Opportunity: Energy Analyst The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, in partnership with FortisBC, has established a position to engage tourism businesses within the Thompson Okanagan region and provide expertise to find natural gas and electricity savings through energy efficiency upgrades and FortisBC incentives. Apply by January 10, 2022. This role, based in Kelowna, will be instrumental in helping tourism operators better understand their energy use patterns and savings opportunities as well as opportunities to reduce their organizational carbon footprint. The Energy Analyst will also identify areas for optimization and support participation in FortisBC rebate programs, resulting in energy, and cost savings for their organization. Deadline for response is January 10, 2022. Read More → Upcoming Events Wilderness Tourism Association of BC Annual General Meeting (Virtual) Thursday, January 13, 2022 | 1:00pm - 4:15pm Join the Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) of BC to learn about recent WTA accomplishments and areas of focus for the new year. Hear from Walt Judas, CEO of TIABC, and Krista Bax, CEO of go2HR, who will provide guidance in imagining what's next for British Columbia's tourism industry.   Schedule 1:00 - 1:30pm  Opening Remarks & WTA Accomplishments - Breanne Quesnel 1:30 - 2:00pm  Rebooting BC’s Visitor Economy - Walt Judas, CEO of TIABC 2:00 - 2:30pm  WTA Marketing Direction - Jessica Fremlin 2:30 - 3:00pm  Staffing & Retention Challenges - Krista Bax, CEO of go2HR 3:15 - 4:15pm  Business Meeting, President’s Report, Executive Director’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Board Elections Register → Resources Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10, 2022 The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will: increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or support the revival of local economies through in-person events. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Read More → Apply for Student Interns through Various Programs BCIT's 2022 Tourism Management Internship Program students will be looking for Internship opportunities in late March 2022. Submit your Internship Application request form by January 10, 2022. The internship runs for 8 weeks from March 28, 2022, to May 20, 2022. Students can work evenings, weekends, and any day of the week except Mondays, as they must be at school on this day. Any questions, contact David Tikkanen, Program Head, Tourism Management, David_Tikkanen@bcit.ca Over 100 Capilano University (CapU) Tourism Management students will be looking for work placements from May – September 2022. Many of the students can move into full-time positions at the end of their summer placement as they will graduate. The Cap U Work Integrated Learning team for the School of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation will be conducting an online Information Lunch and Learn session on January 18, 2022, 12:30 – 1 pm. For additional information, contact tourism@capilanou.ca. Immigration Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) has been providing various support services for immigrants and refugees to help them get settled, find careers, and learn all they need to know about starting their new lives in Canada. Through dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, ISSofBC provides settlement, education, and employment services to over 20,000 clients every year. There are approximately 20+ graduating students who recently completed the Global Tourism Diploma Program looking for full and/or part-time employment in Tourism & Hospitality. Some are available to start working immediately. Contact Shelina Spilchen, Case Manager – Skills Training for Tourism, for more information: shelina.spilchen@issbc.org Read More → Applications Open for Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Applications are now open for the federal Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program. The following is a list and links to the programs available for application: Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program Canada Recovery Hiring Program Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program View CRA Program Updates → B.C. COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant The Province of BC has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting B.C. businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases under the December 22nd, 2021 Provincial Health Officer orders. Businesses ordered fully closed include: gyms, fitness and adult dance centres bars, lounges and nightclubs event venues that can no longer hold events The fund will provide relief grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 to help affected businesses alleviate some financial pressures and help with expenses including rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance, and utilities. Applications for the grant will begin in January with the application process open until the end of February 2022. Businesses can email questions to: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca Learn More → Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown. The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for a province or region. Those eligible for the CWLB, can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period and apply for any weeks their region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Local Lockdown Program for Non-Tourism Organizations The new Local Lockdown Program is a way non-tourism and hospitality businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction can be eligible for wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).   Learn More & Apply → Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship Program | Apply by January 31, 2022 Women in B.C. with a desire for training in the culinary, beverage, or hospitality fields are invited to apply for Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Scholarship Program to receive partial funds to an educational institution/course of their choice. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, ability, commitment, and passion, and may range in value anywhere between $1,000 – $2,000 depending on funds available, program requirements and approved applicants. Apply by January 31, 2022. Scholarships will be awarded in March 2022. Read More → Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2021-12-27

As 2022 draws near, the TOTA team wishes you a happy new year!

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, As 2021 comes to a close, we hope you found time to enjoy the holidays with family, friends, and colleagues. It’s been a challenging year but, overall, the tourism industry has made progress towards building forward better. New connections and partnerships were formed, many Canadians discovered - and rediscovered - the Thompson Okanagan region, and we are more resilient than ever. As 2022 draws near, we wish you a happy New Year! Each of the TOTA team members shared what they are looking forward to this coming year: "2021 has been a year of many challenges for tourism and the world as a whole. I am grateful for the dedicated tourism professionals that I have been privileged to work with to assist our industry and for the support of my family and friends. My wish this holiday season is that you had the opportunity to spend time with family or close friends and that their presence will bring you the comfort and strength to help move you through whatever lays ahead in the New Year." - Ellen Walker-Matthews, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) "I look forward to strong economic growth and continued collaboration on being a leader in responsible tourism practices." - Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development "I'm looking forward to exploring even more throughout the region and meeting people in person and I wish everyone hope and joy through another challenging time. All the best for 2022!" - Kelly Galaski, Managing Director, Symphony Tourism Services “I look forward to exclusive, cultural, and experiential tourism to be a part of building more exclusive experiences that will be tailored for guests, community, and culture, thus creating a more inclusive tourism industry." - Jamie Bourne, Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor "In the coming year, I look forward to connecting with tourism professionals, online and especially in person. I'll continue looking for ways to support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and I know that by working together we can overcome the challenges, and bring joy to our visitors and communities." - Chelsea McGonigal, Communications Specialist / Board Liaison "I am looking forward to the growth in sustainable tourism initiatives and partnerships to continue to support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry." - Amy Kneller, Sustainability Experience Coordinator "I am looking forward to creating a community of sustainable tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan by establishing the Biosphere Commitment Program as an incubator for tourism stakeholders in our region to embark on their respective sustainability journeys and begin aligning every department activity with their chosen Sustainable Development Goals to create their sustainability plans and begin tracking their progress. The Biosphere Commitment Program will help us create stronger tourism stakeholders who will have a higher resiliency to endure situations like the pandemic and establish themselves as the future pillars of the tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan." - Kavan Vijayakumar, Event & Industry Relations Specialist "I look forward to continuing to celebrate and share the incredible tourism businesses throughout the region in 2022!" - Jenna Labossiere, Consumer Communications Coordinator "I'm looking forward to seeing international travel try to return to the levels previously seen by our region and how that volume is enriched with newly implemented and mastered operations that came forth from the pandemic." - Darnel St. Pierre, Digital Marketing Coordinator “I am looking forward to less COVID and extreme circumstances. I'm hopeful!" - Donna Sellin, Senior Executive Assistant "For 2022, I am most looking forward to co-creating a vibrant and resilient tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan, with sustainability at the core of our work." - Kaitie Worobec, Director of Destination Stewardship "We look forward to all of the resilient tourism businesses being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and welcome back both domestic and international visitors to the region. The funding that has been made available to enhance our outdoor offerings for trail use, mountain biking, and hiking adventures, as well as accessible trail use will be highly promoted for visitors in 2022!" - Barbara Bonnough, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre & TOTA Training Centre Manager "I am looking forward to more tourism companies joining the Biosphere Commitment Program and demonstrating their commitment to the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals to the world." - Eve Layman, Destination Stewardship Coordinator "I am most looking forward to supplying our industry with research and analytics to aid in their recovery efforts and to experience the many amazing things our region has to offer." - Shelby Campbell, Research Specialist, Symphony Tourism Services "I look forward to continuing to support the tourism businesses in this beautiful part of the world in which we live, work, and play." - Rob Grifone, Travel Trade & Media / Crisis Management Coordinator "I look forward to exploring more, and hopefully bringing friends and family along to enjoy the many adventures offered in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan." - Chyan Lloyd, Financial Controller "I am looking forward to connecting with many more stakeholders in the new year and supporting you with your key accessible features - creating environments and experiences that are inclusive to everyone." - Sonja Gaudet, Regional Access & Inclusion Liaison "I can't wait to see how strongly we rebound after COVID. I'm very excited to see international travellers back, in one of the greatest places on earth." - Jeff Bourne, Tourism Inspiration Centre Ambassador "I am looking forward to seeing the partnerships with Indigenous leaders and communities come into fruition. It will be wonderful to see the industry reflecting and becoming more inclusive towards the traditions and cultures of the First Nations all over B.C." - Amber Rabe, Administrative Coordinator "I am looking forward to the tourism industry getting back on track and doing what it does best." - Alison Steward, Office Manager Note: The regular newsletter will return when the TOTA office reopens on January 5, 2022. If you are feeling uncertain, feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com so we can provide support as soon as we return. Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2021-12-20

Updates on COVID-19, highway reopening, industry messaging guidance, and winter travel toolkit.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, As we reflect on 2021 and look forward to new opportunities in 2022, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association team sends you our warmest holiday wishes. We hope you find moments of joy, relaxation, and reflection this holiday season. The past two years have brought many changes, challenges, and key learnings for many of the tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region and our partners. As we move forward together we continue to work with many partners to provide you with new opportunities, resources, and advocacy efforts to support the tourism industry in 2022 and beyond. Reflecting on the past year, TOTA team members shared messages of appreciation and gratitude: "2021 has been a year of many challenges for tourism and the world as a whole. I am grateful for the dedicated tourism professionals that I have been privileged to work with to assist our industry and for the support of my family and friends. My wish this holiday season is that you have the opportunity to spend time with family or close friends and that their presence will bring you the comfort and strength to help move you through whatever lays ahead in the New Year." - Ellen Walker-Matthews, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) "I am grateful for all the amazing tourism businesses in our region and their unwavering commitment to providing excellent products and services." - Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development "I appreciate how much everyone cares about one another and supports local stakeholders within the region. It's been so needed to get everyone through and will continue to be. We are so fortunate that the communities and businesses offer so many wonderful things to see and do throughout our vast region that we can enjoy supporting each other through local travel!" - Kelly Galaski, Managing Director, Symphony Tourism Services "I have been reminded of what the tourism industry and the people in the tourism industry are made of. I have gained a greater understanding of what is most important in our lives. I am honoured to be part of building back a stronger tourism industry." - Jamie Bourne, Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor "This year, once again, I am inspired by the resiliency of tourism professionals in the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry. I'm grateful for the dedication of tourism leaders, who continue to take on and overcome challenges for the benefit of our communities, now and in the future." - Chelsea McGonigal, Communications Specialist / Board Liaison "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our tourism stakeholders in the Thompson Okanagan region on their sustainable practices through the Biosphere Commitment Program." - Kavan Vijayakumar, Event & Industry Relations Specialist "The Thompson Okanagan has proven to be a region of resilient tourism operators throughout the pandemic." - Rob Grifone, Travel Trade & Media / Crisis Management Coordinator "I'm grateful to see how our team and other tourism stakeholders have been able to support one another through the rollercoaster of 2021." - Amy Kneller, Sustainability Experience Coordinator "The Thompson Okanagan tourism industry is the heart of the economy, in one of the greatest industries in the world." - Jeff Bourne, Tourism Inspiration Centre Ambassador "I appreciate how resilient everyone can be through the challenges." - Alison Steward, Office Manager "I am very grateful that even through this entire pandemic I have still had the ability to do and see the many great things the Thompson Okanagan has to offer. There are immense amounts of outdoor recreation that you are still able to do while keeping safe." - Chyan Lloyd, Financial Controller "I appreciate the grit and determination that Thompson Okanagan tourism stakeholders have demonstrated over the past year and their "never-give-up" attitude, despite facing numerous challenges." - Kaitie Worobec, Director of Destination Stewardship "I am grateful for those travellers who stopped in to see us at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre and knowing there were many local residents who supported the industry as best they could during a very challenging year! All of the travellers that we met were in good spirits and happy to be able to experience the region and support tourism businesses." - Barbara Bonnough, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre & TOTA Training Centre Manager "I appreciate the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry's resiliency. We live in such a beautiful part of the province, and the pride of our region is apparent in the work that we do. As a newcomer to this industry, it is amazing to see everyone stand together to support each other." - Donna Sellin, Senior Executive Assistant "Thank you to many of our stakeholders who have made accessibility a key priority - ensuring that full participation is possible for everyone to enjoy and experience what you have to offer." - Sonja Gaudet, Regional Access & Inclusion Liaison "The Thompson Okanagan is a leader for tourism, with a wide range of sustainable tourism opportunities. I am grateful to be able to live in a community with so many wonderful people and businesses who are committed to sharing this beautiful place with others." - Eve Layman, Destination Stewardship Coordinator "I am grateful to work in an industry full of amazing people and am constantly in awe of our stakeholders, their resiliency, creativity, and compassion for one another." - Shelby Campbell, Research Specialist, Symphony Tourism Services "I appreciate the continuous resiliency the Thompson Okanagan Tourism industry never fails to show and am so grateful to be apart of this community." - Jenna Labossiere, Consumer Communications Coordinator "I'm grateful for the resiliency displayed by the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry over the course of this year. It's been a difficult year for most businesses but seeing the perseverance displayed by many stakeholders is inspiring." - Darnel St. Pierre, Digital Marketing Coordinator "I love how so much of the industry is centered on the land and nature. From wineries, to parks, camping and cultural events, I really think it describes the people of the Thompson Okanagan and the goal towards sustainable tourism." - Amber Rabe, Administrative Coordinator Note: The TOTA office is closed from December 20 to January 4, 2022. However, if you are feeling uncertain, feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com so we can provide support as soon as we return. News Highlights Coquihalla Hwy Reopened for Commercial Traffic The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) has reopened between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only following a month of extensive repairs, well ahead of the previously announced timeline. Effective today, Highway 5 is available to commercial vehicles with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms. With most commercial vehicles moving to Highway 5, travel restrictions will be lifted from Highway 3 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, allowing the route between Hope and Princeton to be used for non-essential travel. Travel restrictions have also been lifted from Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet. However, vehicles over 14,500 kilograms GVW are still not permitted on this section of Highway 99. When travel restrictions are lifted from Highway 3 and Highway 99, these routes become available for general use. For drivers travelling these highways, the ministry urges preparation and patience. Drivers can expect delays and congestion and are encouraged to consider alternate options or avoid highway travel unless necessary.   Travellers are reminded to visit the DriveBC website for updates on BC road conditions and advisories. Visit DriveBC for Updates → View Announcement → New COVID-19 Measures Introduced in B.C. for Holiday Season Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry delivered an announcement that included revised orders aimed to address the rising COVID-19 cases. This order takes effect on Monday, December 20, 2021, and will be extended through to January 31, 2022. Highlights of the extended measures include: limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated; requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events; seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated; limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code; pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed. In addition to the provincial health orders, British Columbians are also reminded to follow the travel advisories issued by both the federal and provincial governments this week that include avoiding all travel if not fully vaccinated and to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. View News Release → View Current Restrictions (The revised Public Health Orders have not yet been published. They will be linked on this page when published) → TOTA Chair on CBC's The Current | Dec 20, 2021 Today, on The Current, Matt Galloway spoke with Michael Ballingall, senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort and the chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, about what the highway’s reopening means for the tourism industry. Listen to Recording → View Transcript → Business Resources Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated December 16, 2021 B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Download Winter Travel Toolkit → Read More → Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated December 16, 2021 B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Download Winter Travel Toolkit → Read More → Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10, 2022 The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will: increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or support the revival of local economies through in-person events. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Read More → Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship Program - Apply by January 31, 2022 Women in B.C. with a desire for training in the culinary, beverage, or hospitality fields are invited to apply for Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Scholarship Program to receive partial funds to an educational institution/course of their choice. All scholarships are awarded based on merit, ability, commitment, and passion, and may range in value anywhere between $1,000 – $2,000 depending on funds available, program requirements and approved applicants. Apply by January 31, 2022. Scholarships will be awarded in March 2022. Read More → Webinar Roundup Upcoming webinars and recent recordings for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses. Read More → Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email Recovery@TOTABC.com for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business Get Involved BC Hospitality Foundation Holiday 50/50 Tickets on Sale Support the B.C. hospitality and tourism community by purchasing tickets to the Holiday 50/50 Lottery benefiting the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF). This licensed lottery is being promoted ONLY to the local hospitality and tourism community, so someone in or related to industry will be the big winner! Funds will support industry workers in a time of need. Ticket Package Options: 5 for $10 20 for $20 150 for $40 Purchase Tickets → Holiday Shopping with the BC Hospitality Foundation The BCHF receives funds from a variety of corporate initiatives initiated by friends and colleagues in the hospitality industry, including partial proceeds from product sales. By purchasing these products, you can support the supporters and help boost the BC economy at the same time! Read More → Research Spotlight Fast Facts Thompson Okanagan Tourism Research Summary A bi-weekly roundup of B.C. tourism research to provide an ongoing snapshot of the tourism industry over time. Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of December 13, 2021

Updates on winter travel toolkits, highways reopening, COVID international travel advisories, air travel, grants, and other resources.

View in browser Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, On December 15, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation announced a new plan for highway reopening: The plan is as follows: Monday, December 20: Highway 5 – will reopen to commercial traffic. Monday, December 20: Highway 99 – the essential travel restriction from the junction of Highway 99 and Lillooet River Road to the BC Hydro Seton Lake Campsite access in Lillooet is expected to be lifted. The vehicle weight restriction of no more than 14,500 kg will remain. Tuesday, December 21: Highway 3 – the essential travel restriction between the junction of Highways 5 and 3 in Hope to the west entrance to Princeton from Highway 3 will be removed 24 hours after Highway 5 opens. We know that with the holiday season upon us, residents around the province are anxious to gather with family and this can mean travelling to and from the Interior. Those hoping to travel in the coming weeks for non-essential reasons can consider travelling on Highway 3 by car or regional bus service, or by air. Many airlines and bus services have added capacity to help people move around the province. Provincial associations have prepared guidance documents to support industry and travellers, including the Destination BC Winter Travel Guide and a Winter Travel & Recreation Toolkit to assist tourism operators in informing residents and visitors alike of the current rules, recommendations, and expectations for travel in B.C. As well, the Government of Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have developed an air travel infographic to assist travellers with a better understanding of what is required when both arriving and departing the airport. TOTA will continue to compile official announcements on the TOTA News Centre, including resources for businesses and the Thompson Okanagan Know Before You Go page for visitor information. - The TOTA Team Industry Guidance Documents Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website. Read More → DBC Messaging Guidance for BC's Tourism Industry - How to Travel in B.C. This Winter On December 9, Destination BC published a guide to help industry navigate winter travel questions among the latest entry requirements and road closures. The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves. Read More → Border Measures for Air Travel Infographic The Government of Canada and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have developed an air travel infographic to assist travellers with a better understanding of what is required when both arriving and departing the airport. Through direction from government, airport officials will be conducting COVID-19 testing for all fully vaccinated passengers arriving from an international destination at YVR with the exception for those coming directly from the US. This will be in addition to a number of existing travel requirements already in place at airports. The arrivals test is paid for by the Government of Canada. Read More → Resource Roundup Commemorate Canada Re-opening Fund | Apply by January 10 The Reopening Fund is a one-year funding initiative through the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support initiatives that will: increase opportunities for Canadians to participate in various commemorative activities and celebrations to mark Canada’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic; or build a sense of pride and belonging to Canada by holding celebratory and commemorative activities that recognize people and achievements in the response to COVID-19 ; and / or support the revival of local economies through in-person events. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations with non-commercial projects, educational institutions, and government institutions are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022. Learn More & Apply → Read More → The Forum Virtual Program for Women Entrepreneurs in Tourism | Apply by January 6 for January 2022 Sessions Women in tourism can apply for a free virtual program tailored specifically for women-led tourism business managers and entrepreneurs. Developed by The Forum and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, the program will provide expertise and resources to support women in tourism January 13 and 20, 2022. Applications will be accepted until January 6 or until all available spots have been filled. Read More → Create a Profile on the BC Marketplace by Small Business BC The BC Marketplace helps small businesses to connect with new customers, especially BC-based audiences. Businesses are welcome to create a free listing, which helps to builds online presence and provides marketing exposure. Created by Small Business BC to support small businesses, the BC Marketplace is made possible with the support of the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. Read More → Webinar Roundup Upcoming webinars and recent recordings for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses. Read More → Business Supports The TOTA team is here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program tourism companies can access the following free supports: 1:1 Business Support with a TOTA Resiliency Advisor Business support programs Submit a Voice Your Concerns form so TOTA can share the impacts on the tourism industry with government Email [email protected] for quick questions or to share challenges faced by your business News Highlights International Travel Advisory Update As of December 15, the federal government has reintroduced the advisory warning travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally due to the rapidly circulating Omicron COVID-19 variant. The advisory will remain in place for at least four weeks and then be re-evaluated. The government is also going to further expand its on-arrival testing and isolation rule which so far is only being randomly applied to air travellers. The government has said it will be made universal to all air travellers outside of the United States, but hasn’t said when that will happen. Read More → The Provincial State of Emergency Extended to December 28, 2022 The order restricting non-essential travel on highways 3 and 99 will remain in place until highways open. The Province allowed the order limiting non-essential fuel use in the Lower Mainland to expire at the end of the day on Dec. 14, 2021. Public Health Order (PHO) Distinction for Business Events The BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group has successfully received a distinction for business events in the latest provincial health order. This is relevant because now business events are allowed as standing events. Networking, receptions, and mingling are all acceptable. Holiday parties associated with businesses are considered “business events.” This distinction in the health orders is a big step in the right direction. Read More →   B.C. Fairs, Festivals, Events Benefit from Recovery Funding People throughout B.C. will be able to enjoy more arts, culture, sports and community occasions as the Province supports more than 680 events, including 131 in the Thompson Okanagan region, such as: Interior Provincial Exhibition - agricultural exhibition and fair in Armstrong Canada Rock Fest - Music Festival - Grand Forks Bass Coast Festival - Merritt Merritt Rockin' River Fest - Merritt IRONMAN Canada - Penticton - Penticton Salmon Arm ROOTS and BLUES Festival - Salmon Arm The BC Bike Race - Penticton Rock The Lake - Kelowna SilverStar Bike Fest - Silver Star Resort Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games - Vernon Spartan Race Kelowna at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan - Penticton2022 Canada 55+ Games - Kamloops AltiTunes at Big White Ski Resort - Kelowna Snowbombing - Sun Peaks And more... Read More → Tourism Industry Association of Canada announces MOU with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This represents a concrete collaboration between these two national organizations. The MOU is to work collaboratively and coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities, supporting the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. ITAC and TIAC will work together to share and develop knowledge, complementary expertise, and market intelligence. Read More → Get Involved Survey | Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region Flood & Road Closure Impacts TOTA has created a survey to better understand challenges faced by Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses and to help connect businesses to available resources. Responses will be collated to provide anonymous insights to government as to what resources are required to support industry through recovery. Take Survey → Survey | Support Systems and Emerging HR Practices Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) and Tourism HR Canada have developed an eight-minute survey survey to better understand support services available across the country, as well as any innovative practices tourism businesses are implementing to mitigate workforce shortages. The findings of this survey will help to recommend where investments in products or services could/should be made in order to build a toolkit that will help employers or communities address workforce recovery needs. Take Survey → Read More → Research Spotlight Measuring Canadian Travel Patterns - Thompson Okanagan, January 1- November 28, 2021 Research data created by Environics Analytics to help the travel and tourism industry understand the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to Domestic Overnight Visitors within Canada. Thompson Okanagan Visitor Highlights - October 2021 Baseline visitor analysis to help industry understand visitation and plan strategically to attract visitors. BCRTS Research Roundup - November Custom reports from the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) research program and highlights from a variety of sources including Destination Canada, Destination BC, Travel and Tourism Research Association, Destination Analysts, UNWTO, BCHA/STR, Destination Think, and Environics Analytics. Read Past News Stories Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Webinar Roundup | Week of December 13, 2021

Webinars and training on digital marketing, content systems, storytelling, leadership, and more.

Note: This is the final Webinar Roundup of 2021. Webinar Roundups will return in January 2022. Happy holidays! Upcoming Webinars & Events Week of December 13, 2021 Are We Done Yet? Mental Health Challenges at the End of the Year Tuesday, December 14, 12PM - 1PM Hosted by: Canadian Mental Health Association BC & BC Crisi Line Network The months leading up to the end of the year can be not so jolly for many British Columbians -- especially as we continue to navigate new ways of gathering and celebrating.  If you’re having a not so jolly end of the year and this is a hard time for you, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Behind every British Columbian is a network of agencies that together provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week support for wherever you find yourself. We call it a continuum of care and support you in areas such as crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and long-term mental health support. Join Asha Croggon (Crisis Lines Network), Jonathan Morris (CMHA BC) and Ivana Bilic (Crisis Centre of BC volunteer) as they update British Columbians on the free, accessible support and services available across BC. Register Now Burnout & Recovery Wednesday, December 15, 10AM - 11:30 AM Hosted by: Canadian Mental Health Association Burnout…it can manifest from experiences of high stress, leave us feeling exhausted, and perhaps stuck in unhelpful habits that stall productivity and creativity. In this workshop, learn about the components of burnout, and experiment with a Solution-Focused 3-step plan of action to assist in recovering from, and preventing burnout in the future. Learning Outcomes: Recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout List the elements of burnout recovery Orientation to a solution-focused 3-step plan of action to combat burnout Register Now Digital Marketing in 2022 Wednesday, December 15, 11:30AM - 12:30PM Hosted by: Community Futures North Okanagan Why do people love what you have to offer and tell their friends? What are the best channels to help spread the word? What insider tips do marketing professionals use to inspire action? In this workshop, uncover the potential of your business’s story and how to make the most of your digital marketing efforts to help achieve your desired results. What will you learn? How to craft a compelling business story The best digital marketing tools to reach your audience Hacks to leverage traction and garner results Marketing your business during unique times Tips for building a marketing strategy and maximizing your budget Register Now Preparing Content for Intelligent Systems Thursday, December 16, 11:00AM - 12:00PM Hosted by: eLearningU Microcontent will open new channels for our content while improving delivery across existing channels. The path to intelligent microcontent is the next step in our journey in structured authoring. AI-powered cognitive content solutions perform best with content designed to be read by humans and processed by intelligent technologies. To deliver the right answer to prospects and customers, you need to optimize your content production approaches and begin crafting content with the precision humans appreciate and technology requires. Explore and understand the challenges, unknowns, and possibilities with microcontent. Register Now Upcoming Webinars January 2022 Digital Marketing Tips for 2022 - Top 10 DIY Lead Generation Tools for Your Business Wednesday, January 12, 2022 10:30AM - 12:00PM  Hosted by: Small Business BC As agile small businesses, we are constantly learning new ways to adapt to an ever-changing world. Some of these include emerging digital marketing and lead generation trends to help us reach more customers. Join Digital Marketing Expert, Ted Lau as he shares valuable DIY tips for digital marketing in the new year. Ted is the owner of an award-winning digital marketing agency, Ballistic Arts Media Studios. Ted will cover SEO, e-commerce, social media platforms, and more. What Will You Learn? How to effectively target top funnel keywords into leads How to improve online purchase experiences from prospective customers How to engage with your leads authentically on social platforms What it means to be "meta" and what you need to watch out for in 2022 To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034. Register Now Storytelling Learning Series  Wednesdays, January 19 - February 2, 6:30PM - 8:00 PM Hosted by: Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna What is your story? Stories change the world. Stories compel us to action. Stories warm us, soothe us, and teach us. A good story earns us a second interview, a second date, and the loyalty of staff, friends, and family. Your daily experiences and your biography are filled with meaningful, memorable story-worthy moments which make our experience deeper and more meaningful. Join this series of in-person workshops to learn story structure, the art of listening, and the power in telling a warm, beautiful, compelling story. Registration for this three-week workshop is $30 (plus GST), and includes all three sessions. The series runs Wednesdays, January 19-February 2, 6:30-8:00 PM. Register Now How to Bring Clarity and Coherence to Your Team - Aligning Strategy, Leadership, and Focus Friday, January 21, 2022 1:00PM - 2:30PM Hosted by: Small Business BC Somewhere along the path of launching and running your business is a stage where you take a step back to set a coherent, clear, and consistent path to bring into alignment what you think, how you lead, and how your team works. Learn how to develop an effective team perfectly aligned with your company’s vision and goals so they can clearly and proactively solve the right business problems with maximum impact. What Will You Learn? Develop a clear vision that guides you and your team’s decision-making Lead with respect and concern for all team members that demonstrates appropriate compassion Deliver results and enhance the strengths of your team members to achieve key objectives Focus your team’s energy and time on the right tasks To access the webinar free of charge, register online using coupon code DBC3034. Register Now Past Webinars The Best Free Social Media Tools for Tourism Hosted by: eLearningU We're in an amazing time for marketing - tools are popping up every day to help us to create better content, schedule, monitor and engage with our audiences. However, with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to select the right ones for the job. In this fast-paced session, Deanna Wampler will cut through the noise to share the specific tools that she's been using in her work building one of North America's most powerful Indigenous tourism brands, and the ones she's been recommending to her clients. View Recorded Webinar How To Create a Month of Content in 1 Hour Hosted by: eLearningU In this workshop, Karlyn Ankrom, a successful marketing agency owner, speaks about the importance of creating a social media calendar, how to set it up and how to use it to create a faster track for not just creating content but publishing it as well. She will also will show you what you need to do to get all your social media content for the next month brainstormed, created, and implemented -- in just one hour! Karlyn will walk you through the system she uses with her clients to build social media strategies that make sense, brainstorm buckets of content ideas (And how to repurpose them!), capture creative content in record time, AND define 'don't miss' metrics to inform your next month's content creation session. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and finally have your social media running, instead of it running you, this is the session to step into! Prepare to leave this session with actionable and tactical content that you can create and deploy over the next month! View Recorded Webinar Facebook Advertising for Tourism Hosted by: eLearningU Facebook Ads are now a core component of many digital marketing and social media campaigns -- but are you getting the best results possible from your ad strategy? Facebook ads are now the second biggest advertising platform for businesses online -- and for good reason. Facebook ads are extremely effective and affordable. Businesses can get started quickly and spend as little as a dollar a day. Participants will learn: How businesses are using Facebook advertising Setting clear ad campaign objectives Creating valuable content that engages your audience Applying advanced targeting options to reach the right audience at the right time Optimizing your ad campaigns for improved results Leveraging video in Facebook ad campaigns How to setup Custom Audiences to increase reach Integrating efforts with Instagram Tracking and analyzing results View Recorded Webinar Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada, 250.860.5999 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of December 6, 2021

Webinar Roundup | December 7, 2021

The Good News(letter) | December 6

Through all the changes and uncertainty, we're continuously inspired by the resiliency and innovative spirit of the people behind the businesses.

The Good News(letter) is brought to you twice a month by the TOTA team. 

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Thompson Okanagan

Many Thompson Okanagan accommodations and tourism businesses like the Sorrento Centre, have opened their doors to the families and individuals who has been displaced by the flooding throughout B.C. due to heavy rains. 

During such a difficult time for the province, it is inspiring to see individuals and businesses come together to help where they can. 

In response to B.C.'s heavy rain damage, Swoop has added new flights between Abbotsford (YXX) and Kelowna (YLW) for travellers in immediate need of transportation or those travelling to assist in the recovery efforts and emergency response.

These flights are being offered for $79 to $99 all-in, from November 22nd to December 15th. They have also increased flights between Edmonton (YEG) and Abbotsford with fares starting at $49 all-in.

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has continued to work with its airline partners to add more capacity of flights in an effort to get BC residents home safely.

The Hotel Eldorado at Eldorado Resort is hosting Eldorado ‘Tree of Dreams’ event the evenings of December 7th, 8th, or 9th. The event will feature local artisans and crafters, food stations, carolers, and most importantly – Santa! 

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to ‘Food for Thought’, a locally based organization whose goal is to eliminate hunger in children, one child at a time.

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Around the Globe

Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Eastern Canada who now to are experiencing severe flooding across multiple communities. If you are wanting to help, you can offer assistance by making a donation. The Canadian Red Cross has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to help flood victims.

The organization is helping people to meet their basic needs by providing food, lodging, clothing, personal services and transportation on a case-by-case basis.

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Webinar Roundup | November 30, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of November 29, 2021

Webinar Roundup | November 23, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of November 22, 2021

Webinar Roundup | Week of November 15, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary

The Good News(letter) | November 12

Through all the changes and uncertainty, we're continuously inspired by the resiliency and innovative spirit of the people behind the businesses.

The Good News(letter) is brought to you twice a month by the TOTA team. 

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Thompson Okanagan

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) announced that it will regain its international status for flights to and from Kelowna effective November 30. 

Currently YLW is anticipating the return of the following routes in the near future:

• Alaska – Seattle – Dec. 16, 2021

• Sunwing – Varadero – January 2022

• WestJet – Phoenix, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun – January 2022

Once again, one of the most prestigious travel magazines in the world has awarded Big White Ski Resort as the best in British Columbia, rating us #12 in North America and Whistler #15. They were the only two B.C. resorts to make the top 30.

The 2021 Lieutenant Governor's Wine of the Year was awarded to Tantalus Vineyards for their 2018 Old Vine's Riesling. 

After tasting over 800 wines, the judges awarded silver, gold, and platinum medals to 90 BC wineries that were recognized during the virtual award ceremony.

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Around the Globe

International tourism enjoyed signs of rebound in June and July 2021 as some destinations eased travel restrictions and the global vaccination rollout advanced in many parts of the world.

According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, an estimated 54 million tourists crossed international borders in July 2021, down 67% from the same month in 2019, but the strongest results since April 2020. 

The ‘Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism’ was launched November 4th, 2021 at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. Some of tourism’s biggest businesses have joined governments and destinations in committing to cut emissions in half by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050 at the latest.

The Glasgow Declaration recognizes the urgent need for a globally consistent plan for climate action in tourism. 

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Webinar Roundup | Week of November 9, 2021

Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of November 8, 2021