News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Tourism Digital Academy Spring Intake is Now Open
The Tourism Digital Academy is running a spring intake from March 18 – May 7, 2025.
The Tourism Digital Academy, a free eight-week live virtual program is for tourism businesses looking to elevate developed marketing skills to an intermediate level.
The Spring Intake runs from March 18 - May 7, 2025.
Destination British Columbia’s Tourism Industry Dashboard
The 2024 data is now available on the Destination BC Tourism Industry Dashboard.
The 2024 data is now available on the Destination BC Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, regional occupancy rates, and more.
Tourism Industry Association of BC One-Minute Monitor: Impact of Cross-border Tariffs on Your Business
The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is running a one-minute monitor regarding the impact of impending cross-border tariffs on businesses. This short survey will help them better understand businesses’ views on pressing issues and help inform policy development and prioritize advocacy activities.
Learn More About Community Futures BC with CF Boundary!
Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) is celebrating 40 years in British Columbia. Check out the latest feature of Community Futures Boundary with General Manager, Jennifer Wetmore.
Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Tier 2
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Okanagan College are thrilled to announce the Accelerated Beverage Industry Training Program 2025 - Tier 2 at the Vernon Campus.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) - Tier 2 Program, held at Okanagan College's and Vernon Campus. This second tier of the Accelerated Beverage Industry Training program builds on the past foundational skills and participants’ lived experiences to focus on business development and sustainability in the North Okanagan and the Shuswap.
Open to eligible Shuswap and North Okanagan residents, the program supports professional growth through mentorship, hands-on learning, and reimbursements for childcare, travel, and accommodations.
The Tier 2 Program will run from February 24 to March 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close February 16, 2025
Small Business and Tourism Operator Preparedness Social Media Package
Download the small business and tourism operator preparedness social media toolkit.
The Government of British Columbia has created a toolkit for organizations and associations that support small businesses and tourism operators, including Indigenous and local governments, that can be used to encourage followers to prepare for emergencies.
Okanagan College Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program
Okanagan College’s Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program offers participants valuable guidance and leadership insights directly from industry professionals.
The program kicks off with an online meeting on Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Following that, there will be eight weekly, two-hour sessions scheduled based on the group’s availability and location. Space is limited to only eight applicants, so applicants are encouraged to apply today online or by contacting bcbtac@okanagan.bc.ca.
Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC is Accepting Applications
Apply by February 20, 2025 for the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC.
The Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC supports grants that help shape meaningful outdoor recreation and nature-based activities in British Columbia.
The second intake of this fund opens on January 20, 2025. Interested applicants can check out previous grant recipients, or apply directly by February 20, 2025.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® Workshop
Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. This free session focuses on strengthening relations and community connections.
Sessions will:
Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.
Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.
Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.
Register now for sessions on January 30.
DBC Tourism Digital Academy
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free 8-week course for tourism businesses in BC who are interested in developing their digital marketing skills.
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free 8-week course for tourism businesses in BC who are interested in developing their digital marketing skills.
These courses are designed for business owners or marketing team members and include self-directed learning and live interactive sessions on digital marketing planning, SEO best practices, content marketing, and more.
The Winter intake running from January 29 to March 19 is accepting applicants.
Applications for BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Open Until January 28
The intake period for BCTCRI Project 2 is open until January 28, 2025.
Applications for the BCTCRI Project 2 are open until January 28, 2025.
Eligible businesses can apply for funding up to $15,000 to build upon or implement a climate resiliency plan.
Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Offered in the Shuswap and North Okanagan
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Salmon Arm and Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) Program, held at Okanagan College's Salmon Arm and Vernon Campus.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Salmon Arm and Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) Program, held at Okanagan College's Salmon Arm and Vernon Campus. This program offers fully funded training for individuals new to or experienced in the beverage industry. It covers essential skills like customer service, beverage sensory training, and sustainable practices, alongside industry certifications such as FoodSafe and WHMIS.
Open to eligible Shuswap and North Okanagan residents, the program supports professional growth through mentorship, hands-on learning, and reimbursements for childcare, travel, and accommodations.
The Shuswap BIT program will run from January 27 to February 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close January 19th, 2025
The North Okanagan BIT program February 3 to February 14, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close January 26th 2025
Help spread the word with your network by sharing program information using the following resources:
Destination Canada Traveller Segmentation Program
Destination Canada has released the Traveller Segmentation Program.
Destination Canada has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which allows stakeholders to discover visitor behaviors and preferences to see what motivates, inspires, and drives travellers. This tool will enable more meaningful, targeted, and impactful marketing and destination management strategies.
Explore all the segmentation tools available in the new program.
BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Micro Grant Program
This funding will support the implementation of recommendations in these businesses’ sustainability and climate adaptation planning.
Starting January 7, 2025, tourism businesses, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations within the tourism industry can apply for a micro-grant of up to $15,000 for projects that reduce energy use, waste, water consumption, and more. This funding will support the implementation of recommendations in these businesses’ sustainability and climate adaptation planning.
DBC Learning Centre
Destination BC has a learning centre with free resources, tools, articles, videos, and guides including:
Digital Marketing
Experience Development
Social Media Marketing
Travel Trade & Travel Media
Applying Insights
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Accessible Tourism
BC’s Destination Brand Resources
Access the resources from the learning centre here.
BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Intake Information Session
Learn more about the micro-grant funding available for tourism businesses to implement sustainability and climate adaptation plans or certifications.
Register for the Monday, December 16, 2024 information session here.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop
Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. These free sessions focus on strengthening relations and community connections.
Sessions will:
Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.
Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.
Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.
Register now for sessions on January 14 & 16.
CRA GST/HST Information Session
The Canada Revenue Agency is holding information sessions on the GST/HST and how they will be applied during the GST/HST break.
The Canada Revenue Agency is holding information sessions on the GST/HST and how they will be applied during the GST/HST break.
English Information Session
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 2:30 to 3:30 pm EST
Location: Microsoft Teams Live (English)
French Information Session
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Location: Microsoft Teams Live (French)
You can also submit your questions to the CRA in advance using this link: GST/HST information session - Your questions for the Canada Revenue Agency.
Energy Conservation and Management Workshop for South Okanagan Hotels and Businesses
Join the RDOS, FortisBC, and the City of Penticton on November 15th for free a half-day interactive workshop to share and learn about energy conservation, management initiatives, various incentives, and other project supports available for hotels and businesses in the South Okanagan.
The upcoming workshop will address the following key topics:
FortisBC Small Business Program
Case Study 1.1: Energy Monitoring and Management at Tin Whistle
Case Study 1.2: Analyzing Monthly Electricity Bills
City of Penticton – Energy Programs
FortisBC rebate and incentive programs
Case Study 2: Retrofitting Building
Case Study 3: Heat Pumps
Case Study 4: Lighting Retrofits
The workshop will be held in person at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on November 15th from 9:00 -13:00 with breakfast included.
Register Today for this Workshop.
Take the go2HR Employer Survey
Take the go2HR Employer Survey by November 1, 2024.
Help go2HR shape the future of tourism and hospitality by participating in the Employer Survey. Insights from this survey will be used to better understand the key human resource, health and safety, and training issues and opportunities facing the tourism and hospitality industry in BC.
Respondents will be entered to win one of six $500 regional travel credits, which can be used for a BC world-class experience.
Please complete the survey by November 1, 2024.