Coast Capri Hotel is now Biosphere Certified
The Coast Capri Hotel is a long-standing accommodation in Kelowna, and the team feels that it will play an important role in maintaining the natural beauty and resources in the Okanagan for generations to come. The Coast Capri has also seen an increase in eco-conscious travellers. By aligning with these values, they have set out to create a good example of sustainable hospitality for the rest of the industry.
Sustainability Initiatives
Hotel Manager Todd Weitzel and the team worked closely with TOTA’s Biosphere Success Advisors during their journey to certification. These advisors provide guidance and best practices to tourism businesses to align their efforts with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and, as an unexpected bonus, the team found that this process fostered collaboration across all departments of the hotel.
Along with completing actions within the Biosphere program, the team at the Coast Capri has also signed the 7 Generations Pledge, which was created out of a need to develop guidelines for sustainable tourism and conscious travel. Based on the Seven Generations Principle, rooted in Indigenous philosophy: The decisions we make today will have an impact for as many as seven generations to come.
Some of the initiatives that the team at the Coast Capri Hotel is excited to share with the community are:
Water conservation: Using eco-friendly washing machines, sensor faucets, and a robust preventative maintenance program to minimize their water waste.
Local Sourcing: Collaborating with local suppliers (like Don-O-Ray Farms) to feature environmentally-friendly, locally grown ingredients in the hotel's food & beverage and catering operation.
Energy Efficiency: Replacing incandescent lighting with LEDs, introducing HVAC occupancy sensors in guest rooms, and using energy-efficient appliances in the hotel's kitchens.
Waste Reduction: Implementing aggressive recycling, composting, and repurposing programs, along with offering guests an opt-out housekeeping program to conserve resources.
When asked about working with the TOTA Biosphere Commitment Program, Todd had this to say: "Working with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) was instrumental in helping us achieve our Biosphere certification. Their guidance, especially from Eve Layman, was invaluable throughout the process. TOTA's expertise in sustainable tourism and their dedicated support made the journey much smoother, and we are grateful for their assistance in aligning our hotel with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving Biosphere Certification not only boosts our international visibility and competitiveness but also demonstrates our commitment to responsible tourism and sustainability. At Coast Capri Hotel, we actively engage our staff in learning about and executing sustainable practices through ongoing training and involvement in our environmental initiatives. I highly encourage other businesses in the region to take advantage of the resources and support TOTA offers to pursue certification.”
Biosphere Commitment Program
The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.
Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.
Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program
