News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Glohaven is Inviting Biosphere Committed Companies to Globox
As a joint venture with TOTA, the Globox™ is thoughtfully curated with authentically local products and experiences and will proudly feature one Indigenous product or experience, as well as one product or experience from a Biosphere Committed Company.
Are you a creator of authentic local products and experiences? Would you like to be featured in a tourism gift box called Globox™? Glohaven Community Hub is a community-based eCommerce platform that makes it easier for people to shop and support local. Glohaven's core values are community engagement, collaboration, authenticity, sustainability, and accessibility for all.
The team at Glohaven is reaching out to find vendors in the Thompson Okanagan region to purchase products and experiences from to feature in Globox™. Each Globox is thoughtfully curated with authentically local products and experiences and will proudly feature one Indigenous product or experience, as well as one product or experience from a Biosphere Committed Company.
Please sign up below to express your interest and the Glohaven team will get in touch with further details.
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.
(Kelowna, BC) - To commemorate 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.
“The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is in very select company and has distinguished itself as a leader among destination management organizations across the globe,” says Anthony Everett, Chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat. “The ultimate certification of five regional associations is one that will resonate with visitors around the world, when it is safe for them to travel and once again visit our province which is home to many of the most beautiful destinations found anywhere.”
Since achieving the status in November 2017, the team at TOTA has been working with regional communities and tourism stakeholders to broaden the reach of this initiative. Through the certification, the Biosphere Commitment Program was created to assist regional businesses in their efforts to become responsible, sustainable tourism operators. One example of this is the Eco-Efficiency program, whereby TOTA works one-on-one with stakeholders to provide guidance for reducing energy, water, and waste outputs through an onsite assessment program as well as carbon software training.
“Now more than ever, destination management organizations must address challenges such as social license, safety and responsibility in a way they never have before,” said TOTA Senior Vice President and Acting CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews. “These efforts will also communicate to travellers that we adhere and are committed to ideals that parallel their own.”
Guided by the certification and by working in collaboration with industry, TOTA is able to collect data pertaining to key tourism issue areas. This baseline data assists us in better understanding the positive and negative impacts tourism has on our community systems and social well being, and to work to make adjustments accordingly. Sustainable and regenerative tourism are critical long term goals. Our ongoing efforts will help direct us towards making lasting improvements that will benefit generations to come.
About the Biosphere Certification:
The Biosphere certification is based on established standards in areas that include climate change, environment, social, economy and culture – and guarantees compliance and continuous improvement through a private, voluntary and independent certification system – which is evaluated on an annual basis. The certification allows a region to showcase how they take sustainability seriously, but also ensures they are accountable to make necessary and ongoing improvements, in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
About the Responsible Tourism Institute:
The Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) has been leading the contribution of tourism to Sustainable Development for more than 20 years. The mission of the RTI is the promotion of the principles of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism and all the guidelines and precepts on Sustainable Development promoted by United Nations.
About the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat:
The BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) is a collaboration between five regional destination management organizations Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island representing more than 8,000 tourism businesses and organizations. The BCRTS is leading a ground-up approach so local voices and knowledge shape programs and compliment local and regional tourism strategies. This focus is also reflected in destination development to help tourism operators offer the most desirable and sustainable tourism experience for visitors
Air Canada Commits To Net Zero Emissions Goal By 2050
Air Canada is focused on investing in innovative, long term, sustainable emission reduction solutions. Absolute 2030 midterm GHG reduction targets have been set to ensure meaningful progress towards Air Canada's ambitions net zero goal while the airline, technology and energy sectors are transitioning to low carbon alternatives.
The airline has set ambitious climate targets to realize a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) throughout its global operations by 2050. To reach this, Air Canada has set absolute midterm GHG net reduction targets by 2030 in its air and ground operations compared to its 2019 baseline, and has committed to investing $50 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and carbon reductions and removals.
Zero Emissions by 2050
"Economic growth and sustainability are equally important, and we have a strong track record for both. Despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain deeply committed to long-term sustainability. Climate change is critical, and we believe we can and must do more to address this for the future of our environment. This is why we are further embedding climate considerations into our strategic decision-making, and undertaking a very ambitious plan that is meaningful, will support Canada's leadership position on climate change, advance de-carbonization in the airline industry while keeping fares affordable for customers.”
-Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.
Air Canada’s Investments In Emission Reduction Solutions
Air Canada is very focused on investing in innovative, long-term emission reduction solutions. Absolute 2030 midterm GHG reduction targets have been set to ensure meaningful progress towards Air Canada's ambitions net zero goal while the airline, technology and energy sectors are transitioning to low carbon alternatives.
The airline has identified the following key carbon reduction pillars:
Fleet and operations: Air Canada will continue deploying its newly modernized and energy efficient Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX narrow-body fleets, continue to integrate climate factors in route and fleet planning, phase out carbon-intensive ground equipment, further advance electric vehicles and seek other electrification opportunities.
Innovation: Further evaluate the viability, safety and performance of new electric, hydrogen or hybrid operational technologies, and other innovations such as short-haul transportation opportunities and electric drones.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels and clean energy: Air Canada will invest $50 Million in SAF and other low carbon aviation fuel (LCAF) development, evaluate the practical applications of renewable energy sources such as biogas and renewable electricity, and energy transition measures.
Carbon Reduction and Removals: Air Canada will explore carbon negative emission technologies and other direct emission reduction and removal strategies in addition to further developing its carbon offset strategy for CORSIA compliance, customer offerings and more.
TOTA's Energy Analyst One Of 13 Energy Champions Across Canada
We are very proud to announce that Thivya Viswanathan, TOTA's Eco Efficiency Analyst was just named one of 13 #EnergyChampions from across the country by Efficiency Canada, celebrating a meaningful career in helping Canada meet its climate goals and improving our everyday lives. Through the feature, Thivya shares her story, background, and passion for creating a greener, more eco-friendly future.
We are very proud to announce that Thivya Viswanathan, TOTA's Energy Analyst, was named one of thirteen #EnergyChampions from across the country by Efficiency Canada. Through the feature, Thivya shares her story, background, and passion for creating a greener, more resilient, eco-friendly future.
In her role with TOTA, Thivya works closely with tourism and hospitality businesses to help owners and facility managers understand their energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for improved efficiencies and cost savings. She also offers virtual assessments of a business’s equipment and shares details about energy efficiency rebates.
“ Understanding where energy is consumed, and where efficiencies can be found, help us better understand our own emissions and our own energy costs. Through my position as Energy Analyst, I help businesses in the region reduce both their emissions and their operating costs.”
— Thivya Viswanathan
Energy Champions from across the country are showing Canadians that the energy efficiency sector is already powering a resilient, just, and clean recovery. Our sector is dynamic, diverse, and purpose-driven, and these Canadians have found meaningful careers that not only help us meet our climate goals, but also make the spaces we live, work, and play more durable, comfortable, and affordable.
- Corey Diamond, Executive Director, Efficiency Canada
About Thivya
Thivya Viswanathan always wanted to work towards creating a greener, more energy-friendly future. In her position as an Energy Analyst with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, she gets to do just that. The organization works with approximately 4,000 tourism-related businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region, from bed and breakfasts to wineries, keeping Thivya quite busy.