Posts tagged BCRTS
Introducing the BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN), a Support Program to Incorporate Sustainability Practices into Business Operations and Marketing

The BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN), a new program launching in March 2023, provides one-on-one support and resources to tourism businesses wishing to incorporate sustainability into their operations.

TOTA invites tourism organizations to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to learn and plan with education, resources, customized action plans, and tools around the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability.

The first intake of the BC Tourism Sustainability Network is now open. Registration is free, quick, and easy. Space is limited.

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BCRTS COVID-19 Tourism Impact Survey Final Report

The following report is a summary of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the visitor economy in British Columbia from April 2020 to December 2021. This report is intended to share the experiences of the visitor economy as BCRTS stakeholders persevered through one of the most challenging periods in the province’s history. The experience of the visitor economy during this challenging time contains many lessons for partners and stakeholders on navigating future events, impacts, and crises.

Read the Report →

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New Tourism Emergency Management Framework to Guide Industry During Crises

In conjunction with Emergency Preparedness Week, the industry-led Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) has released a new BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework to help reduce the industry’s vulnerabilities and risks and lessen the potentially adverse impacts to visitor experiences during emergencies.

The framework provides a unified structure to support tourism partners and visitors on matters related to the four pillars of emergency management:

  1. Mitigation

  2. Preparedness

  3. Response

  4. Recovery

The framework also supports the Province of British Columbia’s comprehensive emergency management plans by strengthening integration of visitors and the visitor economy before, during, and after an emergency event. This includes addressing visitors’ unique needs during emergencies, improving tourism industry preparedness, managing long term destination reputation, and reducing economic impact to tourism businesses.

As B.C.’s visitor economy continues to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a strong need for a coordinated approach to emergency management for the tourism sector, particularly given anticipated future crises such as wildfires, flooding, heat domes, and another pandemic.

View Framework Document →

View Framework One Pager →

View TIABC Announcement →

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Regional Tourism Associations Mark Earth Day by Taking First Steps Toward Biosphere Certification

To commemorate World Earth Day, The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) came together with four other regional destination management organization counterparts under the B.C. Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), including the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern B.C. and Tourism Vancouver Island, to support their signing of a letter of commitment to pursue the Responsible Tourism Institute’s Biosphere certification. TOTA successfully received this designation in 2017, and is proud to work with regional partners to help further collective initiatives and make a far-reaching positive impact.

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