News & Resources

The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.

 
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BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 - Session Recordings Now Available

On November 3 and 4, TOTA co-hosted the 2021 BCRTS Tourism Summit with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The conference was filled with inspiring moments and key insights to reimagine the future of tourism. The virtual format allowed us to connect with over 900 delegates from British Columbia, Canada, and over 60 other countries.

As a virtual event, many aspects will live on beyond the days of the Summit and can be accessed until December 5, 2021.

 

On November 3 and 4, TOTA co-hosted the 2021 BCRTS Tourism Summit with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

The conference was filled with inspiring moments and key insights to reimagine the future of tourism. The virtual format allowed us to connect with over 900 delegates from British Columbia, Canada, and over 60 other countries.

As a virtual event, many aspects will live on beyond the days of the Summit and can be accessed until December 5, 2021.

You can still register, free of charge, to access the session recordings and downloadable resources. Feel free share this opportunity with others in your organization and network.

How to Access Session Recordings and Resources

  1. Go to BCTourismSummit.com

  2. Click Register and complete the form

  3. Click "Login" in the top right corner and enter the email address you registered with. No password is required.

  4. Click the building to enter the virtual lobby.

  5. In the top navigation bar, click "Auditorium."

  6. Scroll to the session and click "Play."

Session Recordings

This year's summit featured over 40 speakers in 9 sessions. Thank you to the speakers and panelists for sharing their expertise and insights in the following sessions:

  • GSTC Destination Management Workshop 1 - Measuring Carbon Emissions

  • GSTC Destination Management Workshop 2 - Engagement with the Private Sector

  • GSTC Destination Management Workshop 3: Natural Areas and Visitor Management

  • Panel: Shaping the Future of Tourism

  • Panel: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Tourism

  • Panel: Tourism Operators Creating a Positive Net Impact

  • Panel: Truth, then Reconciliation

  • Panel: Access for All

  • Session: How to Imagine a Regenerative Future for Tourism - Cultivating the mindset, creativity and process to enact change

The recordings are now available and can be viewed any time over the next 30 days (see details above).

Exhibition Hall Videos & Downloads

The virtual booths will remain in the Exhibition Hall for the next 30 days, with links, videos, and downloadable resources at your fingertips. The booth chat will not be monitored but feel free to reach out to exhibitors by email.

Globox™ Raffle Tickets to Support Wildfire Relief for Indigenous Communities

Glohaven Community Hub is holding a raffle featuring Globox™ gift boxes. Proceeds will be donated to support wildfire relief for Thompson Okanagan Indigenous communities through the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society.

The remaining Globox™ prizes are:

  • Eldorado Resort Experience VIP Globox™

  • Sicamous Houseboats Experience Family Fun Globox™

  • Spirit Ridge Resort Experience Indigenous Globox™

  • Summerland Resort Experience Remarkably Loved Globox™

  • SilverStar Experience Family Fun Globox™

Important Dates

  • 2nd Early Bird Draw: November 24 at 1 PM - Globox™ #5

  • Main Draw: December 15 at 12 PM - Globoxes™ #1 - 4

Support for B.C. Tourism Businesses

If your company is facing challenges in British Columbia due to COVID-19 or other difficulties, you can access many free resources through the BC Tourism Resiliency Network, another initiative of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS).

Visit TourismResiliency.ca to register for a one-on-one meeting with a regional advisor and access support programs, educational webinars, research reports, resources, and more. 

Thank You to the Event Sponsors

This event would not have been possible without all of our amazing sponsors. As such, we would like to extend a big thank you to GreenStepWebAdvisorsNavigator MultimediaFortisBCToni LeporeStratIS GroupCommunity Futures BCTELUSAir Canada, and YLW Kelowna International Airport.

Lastly, a special thank you to GiGn and The Gary Cable Project for hosting the virtual concert!

 
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BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 - Thank You to Our Event Sponsors

Our event would not have been possible without all of our amazing sponsors. As such we would like to extend a big thank you to FortisBC, Navigator, WebAdvisors, Community Futures BC, StratIS, Toni Lepore, GreenStep Solutions, TELUS, Air Canada, and YLW Kelowna International Airport.

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Our event would not have been possible without all of our amazing sponsors.  As such we would like to extend a big thank you to:

 
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BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 Day 1

The BCRTS Tourism Summit starts tomorrow on Wednesday, November 3, followed by more virtual sessions on Thursday, November 4. We're looking forward to seeing you as we come together as a tourism community to Reimagine the Future of Tourism with the five regions of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

 

The BCRTS Tourism Summit starts tomorrow on Wednesday, November 3, followed by more virtual sessions on Thursday, November 4. We're looking forward to seeing you as we come together as a tourism community to Reimagine the Future of Tourism with the five regions of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Day 1 Agenda - Wednesday, November 3

All times listed in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

  • 8:00 AM: Exhibition Hall Opens

  • 9:00 AM: Indigenous Welcome & BCRTS Tourism Summit Opening Ceremony

  • 10:00 - 10:50 AM: GSTC Destination Management Workshop 1: Measuring Carbon Emissions

  • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: GSTC Destination Management Workshop 2 - Engagement with the Private Sector

  • 1:15 - 2:30 PM: Panel: Shaping the Future of Tourism - Rebuilding the BC and Canadian Visitor Economy

  • 2:30 - 3:30 PM: Panel: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Tourism

  • 3:40 - 4:40 PM: Panel: Tourism Operators Creating a Positive Net Impact

  • 4:40 - 5:00 PM: Day 1 Closing Remarks

  • 5:30 PM: Virtual Concert: The Gary Cable Project


Summit Overview

 
 
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BCRTS Tourism Summit Virtual Concert Featuring The Gary Cable Project

Join the BCRTS Tourism Summit for a Virtual Concert on Wednesday, November 3 at 5:30 PM PDT.

The concert features The Gary Cable Project, a 9-piece Pop/Rock band, comprised of all-star musicians who have performed and recorded with the likes of legends from Michael Bublé to Bryan Adams. Join us for a trip back to the ‘Golden Age’ of Pop and Rock!

The virtual concert is hosted on GiGn, an easy to use, high-quality, live streaming platform designed specifically to transfer most of the revenue earned to the artists themselves. You can watch the show on any device (smart phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, etc.) as long as you are connected to the internet.

 

Wednesday, November 3 at 5:30 PM PDT

The Gary Cable Project is a 9-piece Pop/Rock band, comprised of all-star musicians who have performed and recorded with the likes of legends from Michael Bublé to Bryan Adams. Join us for a trip back to the ‘Golden Age’ of Pop and Rock!

The virtual concert is hosted on GiGn, an easy to use, high-quality, live streaming platform designed specifically to transfer most of the revenue earned to the artists themselves. You can watch the show on any device (smart phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, etc.) as long as you are connected to the internet.

Creating a GiGn account enables you to engage with the artist and attendees during the concert. There's also an option to tip the artists to support their work.

To create an account, go to the GiGn event page and click Sign In, then Create New Account Here.

The virtual concert can be accessed through the Auditorium Day 1 Agenda OR directly through the GiGn event page

 
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