Kelowna designated as Canada’s First UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

Kelowna has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Kelowna is Canada’s first city to receive this designation in the creative field of gastronomy, joining other cities in North America such as San Antonio (Texas, USA) and Mérida (Mexico).

Gastronomy is important to Kelowna’s economy, attracting over 2 million visitors annually and generating $1.17 billion in tourism revenue. Kelowna is home to more than 500 restaurants, contributing $394 million annually. Local agriculture occupies over half of Kelowna’s land, which adds $3.6 billion to the economy, and supports nearly 5,000 jobs.

Kelowna’s application for the UNESCO designation earlier this year was a collaborative effort supported by the City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Tourism Kelowna, and Okanagan College, with input from a wide range of industry professionals and community members, including growers, producers, chefs, business owners, not-for-profit organizations, and technology companies.

Financial Capability Workshop for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs

All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO) will be running a financial capability workshop for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Kamloops following the success of their Penticton based workshops.

In this workshop, you will learn how to create a personal budget that supports both your financial goals and your business success.
 
WHERE: ANTCO Boardroom, 520 Chief Eli La Rue Way, Kamloops BC
TIME: 9:00am - 4:00pm
DATE: November 24th OR November 25th, 2025
TO REGISTER CONTACT: April at 778-471-8340 or aprilp@antco.ca
 
Participants will enjoy a light breakfast, lunch, swag, door prizes, and a small honorarium.
 
You must be an Indigenous Female to attend. (First Nations, Inuit, or Metis).

TOTA and Tourism AI Network are Partnering to Develop a Data-Driven Tool for Tourism

The Tourism AI Network (TAIN), in partnership with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and RJA Consulting, has announced a new collaboration to design and develop TourismOps AI, a data-driven tool aimed at solving the industry's biggest challenge: fragmented data and complex reporting.

The planned TourismOps AI platform is initially being designed to help organizations:

• Unify Data: Combine internal data into one secure AI platform.

• Automate Reporting: Simplify and automate multi-funder reports.

• Reduce Administrative Burden: Spend less time on spreadsheets and systems.

• Tell a Deeper Story: Move beyond simple visitor spend to highlight the full impact of your destination.

Destination BC Beautiful Seats Campaign

Vancouver will be hosting the FIFA 2026 World Cup and Destination BC is looking to extend the Beautiful Seats Campaign to show the world that British Columbia offers another kind of seat, one with beautiful views of this province.

Your content could be featured in international campaigns, print, platforms, and events.

What they’re looking for:

• Content that clearly shows a ‘seat’ in British Columbia: horseback riding through a valley, mountain biking down a rugged trail, taking in a stunning view from a park bench, relaxing on a beach blanket on a sunny shore…you get the picture!

• Photos and/or short video clips.

• New material or existing content from your image bank is welcome.

• Provide the highest resolution you have available.

• Both horizontal and vertical formats are encouraged.

• Authentic, natural images work best, whether people-centred or place-centred.

• Vertical formats are strong for social media, while horizontal formats are often used in campaign and media placements.

How to take part
Share your Beautiful Seat photos or videos with Destination BC by November 30, 2025. It’s a simple, free and powerful way to put your destination in front of a global audience.

Submit your Beautiful Seat here.

TOTA 2025 AGM & Announcement of Board Directors

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the KF Centre for Excellence on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territory of the Okanagan Indian Band and the syilx Okanagan People.

The meeting reviewed the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 including a presentation of the Audited Financial Statements, Governance Report, and TOTA Activities, as well as the announcement of the Board Election Results.

Board Director Election

We would like to thank all of those in attendance as well as the candidates that let their names stand in this year's election.

Please join us in congratulating the new and returning board of directors:

Executive Directors

Chair:
Sandra Oldfield, Elysian Projects (Elected for Additional Term)
South Okanagan | Sector: Business Services

Vice-Chair:

Kimo Linders, ERTCU Travel Group (Continuing Term)
All sub regions | Sector: Receptive Tour Operator

Secretary-Treasurer:

Cassandra Zerebeski, Tourism Industry Association of BC (Elected for Additional Term)
North Okanagan | Sector: Non-profit

Past Chair:
Michael J. Ballingall, Big White Ski Resort (Elected for Additional Term)
Boundary Country | Sector: Attraction

Directors

Mandi Carroll, Westbank First Nation (Continuing Term)
Central Okanagan | Sector: Other

Sam Collins, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery (Iconic Wines of BC) (New)

Central Okanagan | Sector: Wine & culinary

Vicki Dalgleish, Sandman Hotel Group (Continuing Term)
North Thompson, South Thompson, Gold Country, North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan, and Similkameen | Sector: Accommodation

Kelley Glazer, Destination Osoyoos (Continuing Term)
South Okanagan | Sector: DMO

Lumin Kite, Trails to the Boundary Society (Continuing Term)
Boundary Country | Sector: Other

Aaron Macdonald, Sun Peaks Resort (Elected for Additional Term)

North Thompson | Sector: Leisure

Jim Moroz, Kamloops Airport (Vantage Group) (New)

South Thompson | Sector: Other: Transportation

Lara Pethybridge, Andrew Peller Ltd (Continuing Term)
Central, South Okanagan | Sector: Wine

Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel (Elected for Additional Term)

Central Okanagan | Sector: Accommodation

Aggie Weighill, Okanagan College (New)

North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan, Shuswap | Sector: Other: Education

Welcome to all of the new and continuing board members. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and the region.

Learn more about the directors at TOTABC.org/Board.

Contact TOTA

If you have any questions or comments, please email AGM@TOTABC.com.

TOTA Research Snapshot - October

Once a month, through our newsletter and News Centre, TOTA will bring you a sample of the key visitation and accommodation trends shaping our industry, courtesy of the team at Symphony Tourism Services.

Below is a detailed overview of October's report. We encourage you to monitor our newsletters for ongoing research highlights.

Michael J. Ballingall named the 2025 Business Leader of the Year

Michael J. Ballingall, the Senior Vice President of Big White Ski Resort Ltd., has been named the 2025 Business Leader of the Year by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards independent judging panel.

He is being recognized for providing leadership and long-standing contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry, his role in expanding the international reach of Big White Ski Resort, and his commitment to tourism development across the Thompson Okanagan region. He will be presented with the award at the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards Gala on October 30, 2025.

BetterTable x Food Mesh Webinar

Did you know that reducing food waste isn’t just good for the planet—it can also boost your bottom line?

Join FoodMesh and BetterTable for an interactive 30-minute webinar designed specially for hospitality professionals in the North Okanagan. You’ll discover simple, practical ways to cut waste, save money, and strengthen your connection to the local community.

Why attend?
- Boost profits: Learn proven strategies to reduce waste and maximize your food cost savings.
- Stay ahead of the curve: Get insights on food waste trends, policies, and best practices shaping the industry in the Okanagan and beyond.
- Get inspired by peers: Hear real-world examples from chefs and restaurateurs already making food waste work for them.
- Do good locally: Find out how donating surplus food supports Okanagan residents, while unlocking tax incentives and meeting regulations with ease.

This session is short, engaging, and packed with takeaways you can start using right away in your restaurant, café, or food service operation.

Don’t miss this chance to turn food waste into profit and purpose.

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM PST
Length: 30 minutes
Where: Online (free with registration)

Register today and start turning food waste into profit and purpose: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0rDU7zQyRt6rqwcRUEFaGg#/registration

Applications are open for the Valleys and Vineyards “Spark” Program

The Valleys & Vineyards “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants with a tourism mentor, provide a $3,000 grant, and offer additional partner support to help take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development.

Applications from tourism small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations based in British Columbia are encouraged to apply from October 1 - November 12, 2025.

Applications can be submitted on the Tourism Innovation website.

What is Valleys & Vineyards?

Valleys & Vineyards is one of the six destination brands that are part of Destination BC’s Super, Natural British Columbia® brand family. 

Valleys & Vineyards is located within the territories of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and Secwépemc Nation in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.

Destination Think’s 24 Hours of Tourism Innovation

Destination Think is launching the second annual 24 Hours of Travel Innovation, on World Tourism Day 2025, September 25, 2025.

This is a free, online, global event showcasing 27 destinations from Canada, the U.S., Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. This event highlights innovative case studies demonstrating how tourism can positively impact the environment, culture, communities, and economies. This will create a knowledge hub to inspire responsible tourism practices worldwide.

The event starts September 26, 2025 (09:00 NZST / September 25, 14:00 PST), and those interested can register using the link below.

TOTA Research Snapshot - September

Once a month, through our newsletter and News Centre, TOTA will bring you a sample of the key visitation and accommodation trends shaping our industry, courtesy of the team at Symphony Tourism Services.

Below is a detailed overview of September's report. We encourage you to monitor our newsletters for ongoing research highlights.

TOTA Research Snapshot - July

Once a month, through our newsletter and News Centre, TOTA will bring you a sample of the key visitation and accommodation trends shaping our industry, courtesy of the team at Symphony Tourism Services.

Below is a detailed overview of July's report. We encourage you to monitor our newsletters for ongoing research highlights.

Webinar: Breaking Barriers: Navigating Interprovincial Alcohol Trade for B.C. Producers

Selling alcohol across provincial borders in Canada can be complex, with different rules on distribution, storage, labelling, and D2C sales.
Join BC BTAC and Export Navigator for a 90-minute online webinar on September 24, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 (PT) to:

• Understand provincial differences in sales, storage, and labeling

• Get clarity on CFTA, QA/lab testing, and regulatory efforts

• Identify where opportunities exist for your products

• Access tools and guidance to support your expansion

The Consumer Journey: Bringing BC’s Iconic Destination Brands to Life

Join Destination BC on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 10:00am (PT) for an exclusive virtual event showcasing the full consumer launch of our Iconic Destination Brands across the global travel ecosystem.

In this session, you’ll explore how the Iconic brands are coming to life across key touchpoints in the consumer journey. You’ll get a look at the evolution of the Super, Natural British Columbia® brand and the Let the Outside In creative platform, DBC’s media plan, and activations across travel trade, travel media, and access to new tools for industry partners to leverage awareness of the new brands.

Category 1 Campfire Prohibition for the Kamloops Fire Centre

Category 1 campfire prohibitions are in effect for the Kamloops Fire Centre until October 17, or, until the orders are rescinded.

As of Aug. 28, the following open fires are prohibited in the Kamloops Fire Centre;

• Category 1 campfires as defined in the Wildfire Regulation;

• Category 2 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation; and,

• Category 3 open fire as defined in the Wildfire Regulation

Tourism Operator Sustainability Training Course

Synergy Enterprises is offering a five-part virtual course, designed for tourism operators who want to lead with purpose, build resilience, and embed sustainability into their everyday operations.

This five-module course runs every other Wednesday starting on September 17, 2025, and ending on November 12. Each course is 3 hours long and starts at 10:00 am PST.

Tourism Industry partners can use code promo2025 for 15% off at checkout.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association seeks new board members

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 22, 2025, at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, BC.

The call for nominations for voting members begins on August 23, and the deadline to become a voting is August 22.

Registration is open for the BC Music Festival Symposium

Registration is now open for the BC Music Festival Symposium in Victoria, BC, on September 12-14. Running in tandem with Rifflandia Festival (Sept 11-14), the Symposium will include a chance to connect with festival colleagues around the province, learn from inspiring presenters and experience the Rifflandia Festival. 

Please register by August 15 to secure your spot.

The Canadian Tourism Awards

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is presenting the Canadian Tourism Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses for their excellence in the tourism sector. With twelve categories, there is plenty of opportunity to shine a spotlight on your favourite business.

TIAC is encouraging you to submit your nomination(s) before the deadline on September 10th.

Motivating Seasonal Employees to Return Toolkit

As the season progresses, go2HR has developed tools to help identify the exceptional talent you want to bring back next year. Employees who return save you time, reduce training costs, and help build a stronger team.
 
The go2HR HR Toolkit offers 4 simple strategies to engage your seasonal workers now and throughout the off-season.