News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and TOTA partner to benefit students in TRU’s tourism management program and support the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to benefit students in TRU’s tourism management program and support the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab.
KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to benefit students in TRU’s tourism management program and support the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab.
The partnership prioritizes collaboration between TRU and TOTA to support students entering the tourism field through learning resources and opportunities, industry mentorship and referrals. TOTA’s support for the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab also fuels business development in the tourism sector.
“I am thrilled to affirm our commitment to fostering the next generation of tourism leaders through our partnership with Thompson Rivers University. Together, we are empowering students with invaluable resources, mentorship and opportunities to innovate within the dynamic tourism sector. This collaboration not only enriches the educational experience but also fuels entrepreneurial spirit, driving forward the future of tourism in our region,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of TOTA.
TRU, in partnership with Tourism Kamloops and the Kamloops Innovation Centre, launched the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab in February 2020. The entrepreneurship program leverages an existing tourism management course at the university and supports students to develop an innovative tourism product through research and industry mentorship.
Students can further develop their business ideas through the Tourism Venture Acceleration Program with support from the TRU Generator and Kamloops Innovation Centre to produce market-ready tourism products that fill current gaps.
“Industry partnership is critical to the success of our program, students and alumni because it keeps education up to speed with market activity and gaps, especially in BC,” said David Carter, assistant teaching professor and director of the Tourism Innovation Lab. “Our partnership with TOTA ensures students have access to resources that are current and reflect the state of the industry today.”
Success stories from the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab include:
Pilot tour to the McAbee Fossil Beds Heritage Site with Jada Glen
Guided hiking in Kamloops with Alex Page
ShredLoops with Steffen Masaites (watch the video here)
Additionally, TOTA has renewed funding for the Tourism Excellence Award first established in 2014 to provide a $1,500 annual scholarship for the top academic student on the Bachelor of Tourism Management Program.
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Contacts:
David Carter, Director, Tourism Innovation Lab
Thompson Rivers University
DCarter@TRU.ca
Ellen Walker Matthews, President and CEO
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Ellen@TOTABC.com
Register for Self-Guided Tourism Digital Academy by Destination BC
The online self-guided Tourism Digital Academy program is available until the end of March. This condensed version of Destination BC’s digital marketing program offers B.C.-based tourism businesses maximum flexibility to fit the course into their schedules with unlimited access for six months to digital marketing instruction videos, templates, and resources. Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this comprehensive program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan.
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, 8-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses who are interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level.
Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this comprehensive program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan. From setting your goals, to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more – you’ll leave the program with the confidence and knowledge to put that plan into action.
This online program includes:
8 weeks of interactive sessions led by digital marketing experts and ongoing access to the video recordings (Tuesdays & Thursdays each week for a total of four hours per week)
Technical tutorials to dig deeper into specific areas and share experiences with other participants (Wednesdays each week for one hour)
One-to-one coaching available, on demand, to answer your sticky questions
Audits of your business website, SEO and social media channels, to assess your current situation
A marketing plan template to guide development of your own plan
Opportunities for peer support and networking
Eligibility and Application:
The application-based program is free for all participants. To be eligible for the program you must:
Be a BC-based tourism business, whose product or service is regularly available for purchase within BC (community tourism and sector organizations are also eligible);
Have an active business website;
Demonstrate, through the application form, a minimum level of digital marketing experience; and
Be able to dedicate up to 10 hours per week to the program: five hours to attend classes and tutorial sessions during business hours, and up to five hours to apply the learning to your marketing plan as you go.
If you have any questions, please email: IndustryDevelopment@DestinationBC.ca
Resources for Job Seekers, Workers, and Businesses from Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery
As tourism and hospitality businesses kick start their operations, retaining skilled employees and attracting new workers will be critical to their success. The Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery project is developing tools and resources to help operators respond to this enormous challenge.
Tools include:
Free self-guided training guides for employees
Labour force survey results
Resource listings for individuals and businesses
As tourism and hospitality businesses kick start their operations, retaining skilled employees and attracting new workers will be critical to their success. The Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Recovery project is developing tools and resources to help operators respond to this enormous challenge.
Tools include:
Free self-guided training guides for employees
Labour force survey results
Resource listings for individuals and businesses
