The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
The BiosphereSustainable.com website is now available, which allows people to learn about the good practices and sustainable efforts of companies and destinations around the world, showing how they contribute to the fulfilment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Visit BiosphereSustainable.com Website →
View Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Company Listings →
Read MoreMonte Creek Winery in the Thompson Valley has been making big moves in the BC wine industry. Determined to offer one of the best wine experiences in BC, they recently completed a refinement to their brand packaging, and finished construction on two stunning new buildings. All the enhancements are intended to improve and better reflect the team’s commitment to quality, ongoing innovation, and sustainable practices
Read MoreAs a Gold Certified Biosphere Destination, we encourage and challenge tourism professionals to hop on the sustainability path this Easter for a more eco-friendly holiday weekend.
Traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts produce unnecessary waste and there are sustainable alternatives.
TOTA has compiled the following tips to make Easter celebrations more eco-friendly
Read MoreCongratulations to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Kootenay Rockies tourism regions on earning the internationally recognized Biosphere Certified Destination Designation from the Responsible Tourism Institute.
Biosphere Destinations are committed to continuous improvement guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which include combating climate change, protecting the environment, supporting decent work and economic growth, and respecting cultural and social values.
Read MoreSt. Patrick’s Day is annual celebration of Irish culture on March 17, featuring green outfits, decorations, beer, and food. Like other holidays, celebrations may result in consumerism and unnecessary waste.
As a Biosphere Destination, we encourage and challenge tourism professionals to make St. Patrick’s Day more eco-friendly and greener this year, and every year.
TOTA has compiled tips to make St. Patrick’s Day even greener with a few eco-friendly activities or actions.
Read MoreThe 2021 Biosphere Awards are open until December 1st for nominations. Only Biosphere Committed Companies are eligible for the Biosphere Awards. However, if you know a Biosphere Committed Company and want them to win an award - nominate them today through the very easy process! Self nominations are encouraged! If you want to become a Biosphere Committed Company book a meeting with us today.
Read MoreAfter four years of dedicated commitment to responsible, sustainable tourism practices, Tourism Kelowna has earned a Platinum Certification through the Sustainable Tourism Program offered by GreenStep. The achievement recognizes Tourism Kelowna’s commitment to sustainable initiatives that align with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read MoreThe TOTA and BC Tourism Resiliency Network teams have prepared several new business support programs to assist tourism businesses. The programs are available free of charge for Thompson Okanagan tourism companies.
We encourage you and your team members to register as soon as possible, to take advantage of these programs while they are available.
Supports include:
Thompson Okanagan Wildfire Resilience Roundtable this Tuesday, October 5
Decade of Action Program: Building a Sustainable Future for BC Tourism - Apply by Friday, October 8
Business Mentorship Sessions with Okanagan College Instructors
BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 - November 3 & 4
Hospitality Professional Program - Apply by November 28
TOTA Complimentary Energy Assessments & FortisBC Equipment Rebate Support
Change Management Webinar Recording & Skill Building Exercises
The Decade of Action Program: Building a Sustainable Future for BC Tourism through the UN Sustainable Development Goals is a virtual capacity-building program to support businesses across B.C. to create a Sustainable Development Goal Strategy and Decade of Action Plan. Learn how to align the SDGs with your existing sustainability efforts, set targets for the future, and drive meaningful results for your guests, company, and community.
Read MoreLearn more about the newest Biosphere Committed Company, Manteo at Eldorado Resort!
Manteo is constantly seeking new ways to enrich their local community by creating a safe and healthy environment for all, with an emphasis on diversity and equality.
Read MoreThe Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) hosted a virtual info session on the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform and how it can help B.C. tourism companies track progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and develop a Sustainable Tourism Plan.
Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle is an easy-to-use digital platform that recognizes your commitment to sustainability and links your organization with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 169 targets, through the development of a custom sustainability plan.
Members of TOTA's Biosphere Commitment Program receive a 1 year free trial for the platform.
Read MoreMunicipalities throughout BC can now move more quickly to prevent plastics from polluting their communities. Under the new rules, local governments can institute bans on plastic bags and certain single-use plastics (such as polystyrene foam containers and plastic utensils) without provincial approval.
Read MoreWe are very pleased to welcome five more amazing companies to the Biosphere Commitment Program: Clos du Soleil Winery, Tightrope Winery, Sperling Vineyards, Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Resort, and Le Vieux Pin Winery.
Read MoreWestJet and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) are providing nine, $10,000 grants to Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada, including two Thompson Okanagan Indigenous tourism businesses: Moccasin Trails and Indigenous World Winery.
Read MoreIn partnership with Destination BC and sponsored by Daily Hive, you will be guided through an exploration of the rich history and cultures of Indigenous cuisine and wine in B.C.
Read MoreTo 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.
Read MoreTo commemorate Earth Day on April 22nd, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association together with the our Regional Partner under the BCRTS including the Cariboo Chilcoton Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC and Tourism Vancocouver Island will be joined by a number of guest speakers to announce their collective journey in Biosphere Tourism Certification, a major step in committing to a more sustainable tourism future.
Read MoreWe are very excited to announce that we will launch the Biosphere Academy in April! The Biosphere Academy is a new online platform that integrate questionnaire, tutorial, sustainability hub together to help to streamline the onboarding and implementation process. Join us on April 21st, 10:00am - 11:00am on zoom.
This month, we are celebrating SDG 5, Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The UNWTO released an inclusive recovery guide for women in tourism on March 8th, International Women’s day, data confirming that 54% of the tourism industry is represented by women — “Tourism is a proven driver of equality and opportunity”.
Kamloops really shined this month with their efforts towards sustainability. Congratulation to Tourism Kamloops for wining the Marketing Innovation Award for their Luv’n the Loops Passport. We are pleased to announce the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award winner BC Wildlife Park! Read the news below to learn how they adopted the Eco-Efficiency Assessment recommendation to reduced their waste and energy consumption.
As spring awaken and our tourism businesses are busily preparing for the summer season, we summarized some sustainability resources to help you become more resilient. The city of Kelowna has entered the final refinement phase of updating its Official Community Plan (OCP), read the news below to see how sustainability is adopted to the plan. Last but not least, don't forget to review your COVID-19 Safety plan, go2HR is now offering the support to ensure your safety plan meets all the requirements.
Read MoreThis month we have a new look to our Biosphere Commitment Monthly Newsletter. With the majority of the communication and engagement moved online, you might found it overwhelming to read all the great contents, sometimes it is just impossible to read them all. That's why we are launching a new format that summarizes the content into four major categories
Biosphere Member Highlights
Sustainability News
Industry Trend
Education & Training
Another exciting update is our upcoming workshops, in collaboration with GreenStep Solutions, we are excited to deliver to Carbon Training Workshop Sessions on March 4th and March 25th at 10 am PST. See details in the post below.
Read MoreBest Western Plus Kamloops was selected as the 2020 Sustainable Project of the Year Award Winner!
The Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel was able to accomplish no small feat in their renovation refresh on their 4th floor. The goal going into the project was to repurpose, resell or recycle 90% of the materials being changed. They are very proud, and so are we, that they were able to beat that goal to 95%.
Read More
