TOTA Marketing

Destination Canada has created The Canada Specialist Program that entails bringing a select group of Australian Travel Agents to Canadian destinations with the mission of showcasing Canada, naturally to their networks. In fall 2025 TOTA in collaboration with Destination BC hosted this select group of travel agents in the region.

The TOTA Marketing and Communications Team in collaboration with Destination BC hosted a group of top tier international media in the Thompson Okanagan to showcase the Okanagan Valley and Destination BC’s new branding, Valleys and Vineyards.

The TOTA Marketing and Communications Team attended and helped plan Destination BC’s inaugural BC Accelerator Program bringing the opportunity for businesses to meet with top tier travel trade buyers from BC’s key international markets.

The TOTA Marketing and Communications Team attended Destination Canada’s GoMedia Conference and had the opportunity to host a GoMedia Pre FAM in collaboration with Destination BC.

The TOTA Travel Media team works with Destination BC, Communities Destination Management Organizations, and businesses to host media in the Thompson Okanagan Region. This effort results in the region being highlighted in worldwide outlets that will attract visitors. Please find the coverage as a result of hosting opportunities below.

Read the latest issue of Outlook Travel Magazine featuring Thompson Okanagan landmarks, travel recommendations, and an interview with Ellen Walker-Matthews.

In February, members of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) attended the Explore BC conference, organized by Destination BC.

The TOTA marketing team represented the Thompson Okanagan region at the International Media Marketplace (IMM) in New York in January 2024. The team met with 25 top tier media in the media marketplace where they got to know the individual writers and creators.

The TOTA marketing team attended the Canadian Inbound Tourism Association (CITAP+) Winter Function on December 5 in Richmond, BC., to discuss new and existing trade-ready products in hopes of bringing more visitors to the TOTA region.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is encouraging people to plan a visit to a Thompson Okanagan ski resorts to experience the wonders of winter by sharing a roundup of information with media. The press release is designed to raise awareness of ski resorts, passes, and activities in the Thompson Okanagan, inspiring them to plan a trip.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is inviting visitors to go deeper and explore the region’s most enriching experiences with its latest campaign and video entitled, Stay a While. Designed to showcase the Thompson Okanagan's hidden gems, visitors are encouraged to dive into authentic local culture, stay longer, and make meaningful discoveries.

TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews was invited to discuss Thompson Okanagan tourism on Kelowna Now Live with Jim Csek and Jason Mann.

After a difficult summer of fires, TOTA and Destination BC (DBC) launched coordinated marketing campaigns to encourage travel in the fall months and beyond to impacted areas in the Thompson Okanagan region and the province overall. DBC’s provincial campaign "Help BC by Exploring BC" was augmented by a regional and community campaign entitled "Travel Now" and supported by the TOTA Marketing Team.

The TOTA Team Represented the Thompson Okanagan region at GoMedia Canada in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September 25–27, 2023.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association was recently involved with the Travel Classics West Conference that took place in Vancouver, BC on September 14 to 17, 2023.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has launched the Community Well-Being Survey on International Day of Happiness, March 20, 2023. All B.C. residents are invited to take the Community Well-Being Survey between March 20 and April 30, 2023.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) ushers in the new year with five remaining events in the 7 Celebrations: Reconnect in the Thompson Okanagan series. Christina Lake in Boundary Country, Silver Star and Vernon in the North Okanagan, Summerland in the South Okanagan, Sun Peaks in the North Thompson, and Cache Creek in Gold Country all extend an invite to revisit the sights, sounds and celebrations across the region happening late January through March.