Out For Business Mentorship Program

The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is offering the Out For Business (OFB) mentorship program to support young 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs across Canada. Applications for the 2025/26 cohort are now open. This is Canada’s only mentorship program for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.

One-on-one and group mentoring sessions enable mentors and mentees to expand their knowledge and networks, creating a mutually beneficial space for sharing experiences and expertise. The 10-month program advances 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs of all ages from diverse backgrounds.

For more information or to apply, visit cglcc.ca/programs/out-for-business or contact the CGLCC at info@cglcc.ca.

StartUP Entrepreneurial Skills Training Program

Community Futures North Okanagan is now accepting applications for the August 2025 cohort of its free StartUP Entrepreneurial Skills Training Program.

This 20-week program is designed for individuals in the North Okanagan who face multiple barriers and are interested in exploring self-employment or finding meaningful employment.

Participants will engage in 4 weeks of in-classroom training, 4 weeks of community-based business coaching, and 12 weeks of follow-up support. The program covers essential skills such as decision-making, critical thinking, digital technology, and financial management.

Additional supports include:

• Childcare for children under 3

• Commuting assistance for those outside Vernon

• Internet and mental health supports

• Coverage of business registration and website hosting costs.

Participants may also receive up to $1,500 in completion bonuses. To be eligible, applicants must be unemployed or precariously employed, legally entitled to work in Canada, not attending school full-time, and able to commit to 20 hours per week during the initial 4 weeks. Only five seats are available for this cohort.

For more information or to apply, contact Margo Fleming at margof@futuresbc.com or 250-545-2215 ext. 230.

Tourism Kamloops Announces the Freeride Fund

Tourism Kamloops has announced the launch of the Freeride Fund, a trail maintenance and community giveback initiative focused on Kamloops’ sanctioned trail networks and the need for sustainable trail upkeep.

The Freeride Fund ensures that sanctioned trail networks in Kamloops are supported and sustained, enabled through a formal partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Foundation (TOTF). As a provincially registered non-profit society with CRA charitable status, TOTF provides the charitable framework to receive and manage donations. This partnership ensures that every contribution is tax-deductible (for amounts $20 and above) and fully directed to trail maintenance in Kamloops.

World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Entry Deadline

Entries for the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards will be accepted until June 30th.

This is a free opportunity for individuals and organizations globally to be recognized for their contributions to sustainable travel and tourism. There are 30 categories available, covering a full range of sustainable practices within the industry.

Winners will be celebrated at the 2nd annual Gala Ceremony at Terra, Expo City Dubai, on October 29, 2025. Global voting will take place between July 14 and August 30.

YKA Link

Kamloops area tourism partners have launched YKA LINK (Leveraging Investment, Networking, and Knowledge), a new initiative to boost tourism and air service in the region.

Announced at the BC Aviation Council Conference in early June, the project aims to establish Kamloops Airport (YKA) as the primary gateway to the Interior. This alliance involves Kamloops Airport, TOTA, Tourism Sun Peaks, Tourism Kamloops, and the Thompson Nicola Regional District, and is supported by Destination BC.

YKA LINK will focus on coordinated marketing and route development to attract new air services and increase visitor numbers. The initiative seeks to enhance regional visibility and collaboration, connecting visitors to the diverse travel corridor of the North Thompson, Nicola Valleys, Shuswap, and Cariboo regions. This project will support the year-round visitor economy by improving access for both leisure and business travelers.

Thompson Okanagan Region Drought Levels

Recent sustained periods of hot and dry weather have led to increased drought levels across much of the Thompson Okanagan. As of June 12, 2025, the B.C. River Forecast Centre has raised the Okanagan basin to a Level 2 drought rating. The North and South Thompson basins are currently at Level 1, the Nicola and Similkameen basins are at Level 2, and the Lower Thompson has been elevated to a Level 3 rating.

Ease of Doing Business

The Province of British Columbia has launched an initiative to make it easier for businesses to operate and grow. The "Ease of Doing Business" aims to modernize regulations, streamline processes, and reduce barriers for businesses across all sectors, including tourism.

The government is inviting entrepreneurs and business owners to share their ideas, challenges, and suggestions through an online submission form. This review will help shape policies that will save time and reduce costs.

Submissions will be accepted until Fall 2025.

Kamloops Businesses Go Green through the Biosphere Commitment Program

Businesses across Kamloops are increasing their commitment to environmental responsibility through initiatives like TOTA's Biosphere Commitment Program. This program helps tourism stakeholders in the Thompson Okanagan, such as the Kamloops Airport, Tourism Kamloops, and the B.C. Wildlife Park, to adopt more sustainable operations. The program provides tools and support for businesses to create sustainability action plans, which can include reducing single-use plastics or switching to renewable energy. These efforts not only align with the growing consumer demand for sustainability but also showcase a collective effort to create a greener future for the city.

Destination BC Announces New Chair

Destination BC has announced the appointment of Ingrid Jarrett as the new Chair of its Board of Directors, effective August 1, 2025. Jarrett brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over three decades of leadership in the tourism industry across British Columbia and Canada. She is the first-ever female President and CEO of the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and has held leadership positions at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Boutique Hotels and Resorts, and Watermark Beach Resort.

Jarrett has been instrumental in guiding the hospitality sector through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing significant financial relief and working to rebuild the industry's workforce. Her deep knowledge of marketing, business growth, and strategy will be a major asset in guiding Destination BC's strategic direction.

DBC - Be Prepared for Emergencies this Summer

Be prepared for emergencies this summer with the help of Destination BC’s recently updated Spring/Summer 2025 Emergency Messaging Guidance document. This guide outlines official emergency information sources and provides suggested messaging, actions, and other resources produced by the BC Tourism Emergency Management Committee for BC tourism businesses to help navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies.

DBC’s Welcoming the American & Canadian Visitor This Season Webinar

Join DBC on Friday, May 23, 2025, for a one-hour webinar on the current traveler sentiment from and how visitors are perceiving travel due to the ongoing and evolving landscapes between Canada and the USA.

Event Details
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Time: 10:00–11:00 AM PT
Location: Online
Cost: Free – individual registration required

This Session Will Provide:

• A clearer understanding of what the “Buy Canadian” narrative means for tourism

• Up-to-date trends and forecasts for the summer 2025 travel season across key markets

• Tactics for product and service adjustments to meet local market needs

• Communication strategies to confidently handle questions tied to current tensions

• Tools to help your team deliver inclusive, high-quality visitor experiences

Job Opportunity - Travel Penticton Executive Director

As Executive Director for Travel Penticton Society, a Destination Marketing/Management Organization (DMMO), you'll be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, developing and implementing strategic plans, staff development, and stakeholder relations, all while ensuring the organization's financial stability and mission success.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director plays a vital role in elevating Penticton and Penticton Metropolitan’s profile as a tourism and event destination, particularly within the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and sport sectors in a sustainable manner that strengthens the local economy and enriches the quality of life.

Applications will be received until May 16, 2025

Make the Trip Home: a new domestic marketing campaign - DBC

Destination BC has launched Make the Trip Home: a new domestic marketing campaign designed to inspire BC residents to reconnect with the extraordinary places and experiences that exist right in their own backyard, while supporting local businesses, workers, and communities.

Starting April 24, this campaign encourages multi-day summer vacations within BC . The campaign will leverage mixed channels to help reach BC audiences.

So where do you come in? To help BC tourism partners get involved in the campaign DBC has created a Campaign Partner Toolkit that includes, social media templates that can be localized/customized, allowing partners to promote their offerings while aligning with the larger campaign, as well as messaging guidelines to help increase the message reach.

Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa Named Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards Winner

Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa is recognized in top 1% of hotels worldwide and among Canada’s top 25. Not only that but they are proud to announce continued success as a premier destination in British Columbia, having received three major accolades in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2025:

Travelers’ Choice Award – placing in the top 10% of hotels worldwide

Best of the Best Award – an elite recognition in the top 1% of all hotels globally

Top 25 Hotels in Canada – a national honour reflecting outstanding guest experience

These designations are based entirely on the consistent praise and positive reviews shared by travellers who visited and rated the resort on Tripadvisor over the past year.

Community Futures British Columbia Workshops

Community Futures BC offers free, on-demand workshops for businesses in British Columbia.

These workshops can be accessed by signing up for a free myCommunityFutures account.

Accommodation Plastic Use and Reduction Survey Results

The Accommodation Plastic Use Survey highlights the ongoing efforts by businesses in the Thompson Okanagan and Vancouver Island regions to address plastic waste. While many accommodations have already taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, significant opportunities remain for further improvement and collaboration.

This survey underscores the interest and potential among accommodators to adopt innovative, sustainable practices. By fostering dialogue, sharing insights, and exploring new strategies, the tourism industry can make meaningful progress toward reducing its environmental impact.

Thank you to all participants and partners for contributing to this initiative. For further inquiries, please contact Eve Layman at eve@totabc.com.

Navigating Vintage 2024 – Winery, Restaurant, Retail Guides

Wines Growers British Columbia (WGBC) has developed strategic plans to support the wine industry through the use of out-of-province grapes for the 2024 vintage.

The plan involves the “Crafted in BC” messaging - a temporary positioning created to support BC wineries during the challenges of the 2024 vintage, a year marked by severe crop losses due to extreme weather. This allows wineries to transparently communicate the inclusion of out-of-province grapes in some wines, while still maintaining their commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and the long-term sustainability of the BC wine industry.

How Do You Measure Up? Tourism Sustainability Guide

The new How Do You Measure Up? Guide summarizes efforts across the tourism industry in BC on key environmental sustainability and climate resiliency indicators — including emissions, waste, and climate adaptation — and provides practical actions that businesses can take to measure and track their sustainability performance.

This guide provides helpful resources to businesses at any stage of their sustainability journey. This guide and additional resource are available through the BCTCRI Sustainability & Climate Adaptation Data Framework webpage.

Tourism Climate Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability Business Survey Report

The first-ever province-wide Tourism Climate Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability Business Survey was successful, with more than 550 tourism businesses participating between January 21 and February 21, 2025.

The results provide baseline data on a common set of measures that will track sustainable practices and climate adaptation initiatives across the tourism industry in BC.

Key findings across three priority areas:

Emissions

• Tourism-related GHG emissions represent 3.1% of total industry emissions in BC

• 40% of tourism businesses have invested in energy management

• Transportation accounts for 68% of tourism-related emissions, primarily from domestic air travel and ground vehicle fuel consumption

Waste Management

• 17% of tourism businesses have performed waste audits in the past two years

• 40% have invested in waste management practices like reducing single-use plastics and food waste diversion

Climate Adaptation

• 27% of tourism businesses feel prepared for natural events like wildfires, floods, and droughts

• 64% have invested in climate adaptation measures, with 17% participating in FireSmarting programs

Short-term Rental Regulation Update and Business License Applications now open for the City of Kelowna

Kelowna City Council updated its short-term rental rules to match the new Provincial standards on April 14, 2025. The changes, backed by a strong long-term rental market, aim to protect housing availability, boost enforcement, and make things simpler for everyone. Short-term rentals are allowed in an operator’s principal residence, and for the first time, in secondary suites and carriage houses too. The City is now accepting business licence applications again as operators must get a City business license and register with the Province to avoid extra penalties.

To learn more or apply for a licence, head to kelowna.ca/short-term-rentals