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.

Pacific Coastal to offer non-stop flight service between Kelowna and Cranbrook

Pacific Coastal Airlines has announced a new non-stop flight service between Kelowna (YLW) and Cranbrook (YXC), set to begin on Monday, October 27, 2025.

This route, part of their Winter 2025/2026 schedule, will operate daily using a 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900 aircraft.

With the introduction of this route, Pacific Coastal Airlines will now serve 20 destinations across British Columbia, more than any other airline, a new milestone for the airline.

Tourism Industry Association of Canada 2025 Budget Submission

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has prepared a written submission for the Fall 2025 Budget pre-budget consultations. The document outlines six key recommendations to the Government of Canada aimed at accelerating long-term growth and strengthening the tourism sector's global competitiveness.

Tourism Industry Association of Canada's Six Recommendations

• Recommendation 1: Implement a tailored Capital Gains Reinvestment Deduction to stimulate re-investment into capital-intensive tourism projects.

• Recommendation 2: Streamline the Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) to incentivize tourism investment and modernization.

• Recommendation 3: Develop a national, multi-modal transportation strategy that expands and enhances rural-urban connectivity and improves traveller access to and throughout Canada.

• Recommendation 4: Increase Destination Canada's annual base parliamentary appropriation to generate additional positive returns on the Government's strategic investments in attracting international visitors and drive economic growth across the country.

• Recommendation 5: Provide consistent funding for Destination Canada's International Convention Attraction Fund through an annual investment of $20 million.

• Recommendation 6: Provide annual core funding to Tourism HR Canada (THRC) in support of vital workforce development needs through an annual investment of $3 million.

Chief Robert Louie has been appointed to the Order of British Columbia

Chief Robert Louie (Simo), from West Kelowna, has been appointed to the Order of British Columbia for his significant contributions to Indigenous self-governance and economic development. His leadership has established a national benchmark for community empowerment. It has been instrumental in creating a model for how the tourism industry can collaborate with and support local Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Tourism BC Employment Opportunity - Director of Development & Governance

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is seeking an experienced professional to join its organization as the Director of Development & Governance. As a key leadership position, the successful candidate will report to the senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in advancing ITBC’s strategic growth and governance capacity.

The successful candidate will have:

• Extensive knowledge, experience, and wisdom of Indigenous cultures, specifically the diverse cultures within the First Nations of British Columbia

• A minimum of 7-10 years in a senior management position, preferably in a field related to the tourism industry, policy/governance, or not-for-profit organizations.

• Post-secondary education in Tourism, Business, Indigenous studies, or a related field

• Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including project management, employee management, finance and Stakeholder/community engagement

• Strong knowledge of nonprofit governance, board development and organizational policy

• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship building

• Knowledge of reconciliation, Indigenous governance and decolonizing approaches to leadership

Interested applicants should submit a current CV and letter of interest to Gail Joe at gail@indigenousbc.com by August 15, 2025.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training for Leaders

go2HR is offering an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training bundle for business leaders. For $150.00 CAD, you can access four courses, including:

• An Introduction to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Gain a solid understanding of key EDI concepts, terminology, and the importance of fostering an equitable and diverse workplace.

• Navigating Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Explore cultural perspectives around time, power, and communication to better support and engage with diverse teams.

• SuperHost® Foundations of Inclusive Service: Service For All™: Equip yourself and your team to deliver respectful, inclusive service to all customers, clients, and colleagues.

• Supervisor Training Module: Promoting EDI Principles: Learn practical strategies for supervisors to embed EDI values into everyday leadership, support diverse team members, and create a positive, inclusive work environment.

This bundle provides training with actionable skills for leaders to champion inclusion and collaboration within their workplaces.

Register today for the Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit

Early bird registration is available until August 29 for the Southern Interior Regional Economic Summit (SIRES).

SIRES is a collaborative space where leaders come together to shape the future of economic development across British Columbia’s Southern Interior. Their mission is to strengthen the regions’ economies through inclusive dialogue, practical strategies, and cross-sector partnerships that reflect the diverse voices of Southern Interior.

Join industry leaders in Salmon Arm on November 3-5, 2025, at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort Salmon Arm.

For more information and to take advantage of early bird registration prices visit https://www.sires.ca/ .

Community Emergency Preparedness Fund

The Province is improving emergency preparedness across British Columbia by providing nearly $2 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to local governments and First Nations.

This funding will support 51 communities in developing and updating their public notification and evacuation route plans through 42 projects. These initiatives include mapping routes, enhancing public notification strategies, and conducting training exercises to test plans before an emergency strikes.

The Contribution of Tourism 2024

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective has found that the global Travel & Tourism sector experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with its economic contribution reaching an all-time high of $11.1 trillion globally.

The sector supported 357 million jobs worldwide, representing approximately 1 in 10 jobs.

In Canada, tourism showed significant growth, contributing $50.8 billion to the GDP in 2024, a 3.6% increase from the previous year, and outpacing the national GDP growth rate. Tourism activities in Canada generated $129.7 billion in revenues in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in inflation-adjusted terms.

This highlights tourism's crucial role as a global economic powerhouse and a significant driver of prosperity and employment.

Kootenay Rockies Tourism is searching for a new Chief Executive Officer

Kootenay Rockies Tourism is seeking applications for the Chief Executive Officer position. This is an opportunity to lead a regional destination management organization in British Columbia. Based in Kimberley, the CEO will be responsible for guiding tourism strategy, destination development, and marketing initiatives across Southeastern BC. This role involves promoting the Kootenay Rockies, known for its alpine towns, pristine lakes, ski resorts, and vibrant communities. The CEO will also be instrumental in supporting sustainable tourism growth throughout the region.

Chemistry Consulting Group is managing the search and is looking for candidates with a deep understanding of destination leadership, strong industry relationships, and a vision for the future of BC tourism.

The Value of Tourism - Destination Canada’s New Landing Page

The team at Destination Canada is leading Team Canada with insight and research into unlocking the potential of Canada’s second-largest service export: tourism.

Destination Canada reveals that:

• 1 in 10 jobs in Canada relies on tourism

• There are 265,800 tourism businesses in 5000 communities

• Tourism contributes $130B annual revenue to the Canadian economy

Read more about the unique qualities of Canadian tourism and explore the new landing page outlining the Value of Tourism.

Booking.com’s 2025 Sustainable Travel Report

Booking.com has released the 10th edition of their annual research with insights from 32,000 travellers in 34 countries.

The 2025 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that more than half of global travellers now recognize the impact of tourism on local communities, not just the environment. While 57% view tourism as a net positive in their own areas, many cite concerns such as traffic, overcrowding, and rising living costs.

Instead of supporting caps on visitor numbers, travellers are in favour of investments in infrastructure like public transport, waste management, and environmental conservation. The report also finds that globally, mindful travel habits are becoming more mainstream, and travelling sustainably is a key priority for travellers.

BC Cabinet Shuffle - July 17, 2025

The B.C. government announced a cabinet shuffle today, July 17, with significant changes affecting key ministries.

Minister Spencer Chandra-Herbert has been reassigned from his role as Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (MTACS) to serve as the new Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

First elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2020 and 2024, Kang most recently served as Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and has previously held roles as Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and Minister of Citizens’ Services.

BC Rivers Day 2025

BC Rivers Day returns for its 45th annual celebration on Sunday, September 28, 2025, marking one of the province’s largest community-driven environmental events. The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) has organized this day to bring together citizens, organizations, and communities to honour and safeguard the health of British Columbia’s rivers and waterways.

This event encourages stewardship, education, and community action while highlighting the importance of BC’s rivers.

To support efforts made towards the stewardship of BC’s rivers, ORCBC will offer $300 micro-grants to eligible groups organizing BC Rivers Day events. These funds are intended to cover event materials, educational supplies, or refreshments.

For more details about the micro-grants and BC Rivers Day, visit the ORCBC website.

Okanagan Gondola Breaks Ground

Ridge North America has begun construction on the Okanagan Gondola, a new all-ages tourism destination located between Kelowna and Vernon, offering panoramic views, immersive trails, and elevated dining. The project aims to enhance the region’s cultural and outdoor appeal while blending seamlessly with the natural landscape.

A groundbreaking ceremony held July 10 included representatives from Ridge North America, project partners Doppelmayr and Funis, and the Regional District of North Okanagan. For more information, visit okanagangondola.com

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.