The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
TOTA and BCHA are conducting a survey to collect details on the impacts of the order on tourism operations to present a summary of the findings to the BC Ministry of Tourism, Art, Culture, and Sport (MTACS) to share with the other ministries.
To complete the survey, go to https://TOTABC.org/Survey
Read MoreThe Thompson Okanagan is most definitely open and ready to welcome visitors back to the region. The industry looks forward to embracing those that already have trips booked, and invite visitors to plan a trip to one of the many communities that call the Southern Interior home through ThompsonOkanagan.com.
Read MoreThe order restricting travel to the Thompson Okanagan region has been lifted, except for the community of West Kelowna.
To ensure we can bring concerns and challenges the industry faces to the government, we encourage you to share your insights and feedback on how the wildfires and travel restrictions have impacted your business through TOTA's Voice Your Concerns form.
Read MoreTOTA and BCHA seeking financial relief and expedited lifting of the order prohibiting non-essential travel into Southern Interior Areas to stay in temporary accommodation, citing a surplus of available accommodations compared to evacuees.
Read MoreThe Province introduced a new order under the provincial state of emergency, effective August 19 until end of day on September 4, 2023: people may not travel to stay in temporary accommodations for non-essential purposes in several Thompson Okanagan communities. This includes hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks, and campgrounds.
Read Order: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/m0243_2023
Read MoreThe wildfire situation in the Thompson Okanagan is, and continues to be, extremely serious.
Read MoreThe Keremeos Creek Wildfire is impacting parts of the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen, including Keremeos, Hedley, Olalla, Skaha West, Kaleden, Apex, and Highway 3a. There are several evacuation orders and alerts in place, as well as heavy smoke over Olalla and Marsel.
The BC Wildfire Service is managing the situation and crews continue to work around the clock to protect structures.
For up to date information, see the BC Wildfire Service info page and the DriveBC Current Incidents page.
Read MoreA ridge of high pressure is building over B.C. this week and appears to be strengthening. It will bring an extended period of hot and dry weather. It is yet unclear how long the heat may persist.
Generally, daytime high temperatures are expected to reach the mid to high 30s in the Southwestern Interior, and high 20s or low 30s along parts of the Central Interior. Overnight lows are expected to be in the mid to high teens. There may be thunderstorms and lightning.
Read MoreWith temperatures rising across the province, the BC SPCA is reminding pet guardians not to leave their pets in parked vehicles.
If you see an animal showing signs of heatstroke or other distress, please call the BC SPCA Call Centre at 1.855.622.7722 during business hours or contact your local animal control agency, RCMP or police.
Tourism companies can help by providing a shaded outdoor space or indoor space with water for pets.
Read MoreThe federal government announced Wednesday all existing border restrictions to enter Canada will remain in place until at least Sept. 30.
Read MoreThe Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has been activated due to rising water levels in creeks and streams and flowing into Okanagan Lake. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations recommends that property managers with waterfront and flood-prone areas take pre-cautions, as any wind, rain, or wake from boats has the potential to cause further erosion and damage to waterfront property and structures.
For the most up to date information, visit the Emergency Details & Update page or CORDEmergency.ca.
For tourism related questions, concerns, or challenges, feel free to connect with TOTA's Crisis Communications Coordinator by emailing CrisisMgmt@TOTABC.com.
Read MoreThe government announced that as of June 20, 2022, the vaccination requirements are suspended for domestic and outbound travel, federally regulated transportation sectors and federal government employees.
The key impacts to travellers and transportation workers are:
As of June 20, the vaccination requirement to board a plane or a train in Canada will be suspended.
Federally regulated transport sector employers will no longer be required to have mandatory vaccination policies in place for employees.
Due to the unique nature of cruise ship travel, vaccination requirements for passengers and crew of cruise ships will continue to remain in effect.
Masking and other public health protection measures will continue to be in place and enforced on planes, trains, and ships.
Current border measures, including the existing vaccination requirement for most foreign nationals to enter Canada, and quarantine and testing requirements for Canadians who have not received their primary vaccine series, remain in effect.
View Current Canadian Travel Information →
Read MoreRandom testing at airports will be temporarily suspended at all airports starting on June 11 to 30. Only unvaccinated travellers will be required to take a test upon entry into Canada. The change is being called a “pause,” with the possibility that it could return.
Travellers who don’t meet the vaccine requirements may be turned away at the border, or be required to quarantine for 14 days or until their departure.
Click here for up to date information on COVID 19 travel testing and borders.
Read MoreThe Government of Canada announced further changes to Canada's border measures for certain eligible travellers. Effective April 25, 2022, the following easing of border measures will come into effect:
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor will no longer be required to complete a pre-entry COVID-19 test for entry to Canada.
Pre-entry tests will still be required for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers 12 and older who are currently eligible to travel to Canada. Children under 5 years of age are not required to provide a COVID-19 test result.
All fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry. This requirement will also be removed for children aged 5-11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor and travellers with a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Furthermore, fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada after April 25, 2022, will no longer be federally required to do the following for 14 days after arriving:
mask while in public spaces;
monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms;
quarantine if another traveller in the same travel group exhibits signs or symptoms or tests positive; and
maintain a list of close contacts and locations visited.
All travellers are still required to use ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours of their arrival to Canada and/or before boarding a plane or cruise ship destined for Canada.
Read MoreCanada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said masking guidelines while travelling still apply, as the US moves to drop its national mandate.
Currently in Canada, travellers must wear a mask or face covering while travelling through Canadian airports and for the duration of flights. Air operators are required to notify passengers of the rule and receive confirmation that everyone has a face covering.
Transport Canada says travellers should also wear a mask or face covering while travelling in groups by rail, road, and water.
To support the new border measures in place as of April 1, the Canada Border Services Agency has produced videos to ensure travellers are aware of the current requirements in place and arrive prepared at the border or airport.
The tourism industry is encouraged to share these videos with your network to help facilitate a smooth travel experience for visitors.
Read MoreThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved Canada down from Level 4 to Level 3 category of travel risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is no longer warning Americans to avoid travel to Canada because of the coronavirus. In an update to its travel health notices on April 4, the US public health agency said the level of COVI-19 in Canada is “high” rather than “very high”; it had been at Level 4 since Jan. 10, 2022.
View Key Information for US Travelers to Canada →
Read MoreAs of April 8, 2022 further restrictions were lifted in the Province of BC, including:
Proof of vaccination will no longer be required under public health order to access businesses, events, and services
Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue requiring proof of vaccination for entry
Businesses will no longer need a COVID-19 safety plan. They must follow communicable disease guidance from WorkSafeBC
Federal proof of vaccination is still required for federally regulated travel, like air travel
Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for post-secondary student housing
Effective April 1, 2022, the federal government officially removed all pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirements at the border for vaccinated travellers.
Key changes include:
Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to complete a pre-entry test (they may still be selected for random tests on arrival but are not required to quarantine).
Non vaccinated travellers will still need an on-arrival test and a day 8 test and must quarantine for 14 days.
ArriveCAN is still needed for entry to Canada by all travellers.
Starting Wednesday, March 23, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available to people aged 18 years and older through community pharmacies.
Eligible individuals can pick up one kit of five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost.
Individuals should pick up a test kit when not having symptoms of illness to use at a future time when having symptoms of illness. Guidelines for testing continue to indicate tests should be used for symptomatic individuals.
Read MoreRapid antigen test kits are now available through community pharmacies to people aged 60 and older. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit containing five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals should pick up a test kit when they are asymptomatic to use at a future time when they have symptoms.
Read More
