News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
TOTA Team Attends the BRC 2024 Building Resilient Communities Conference
The BC Regional Tourism Emergency Management Specialists, including the specialist from the TOTA team, attended the Building Resilient Communities conference in Penticton from November 18th to 21st.
The BRC 2024 Building Resilient Communities Conference, focused on fostering collaboration among local governments, First Nations, organizations, agencies, and businesses to enhance community resilience. The event featured a mix of presentations, training sessions, and workshops designed to encourage active participation and knowledge sharing. It emphasized the evolution of emergency preparedness and business continuity, expanding its scope to address broader aspects of community resilience. Attendees were provided a unique venue for learning and networking to encourage partnership and drive innovation and transformation.
For more details, visit the BRC Conference website.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Showcasing Grand Forks Recovery From 2018 Floods
In 2018, severe flooding occurred in Grand Forks, B.C. but the community has made significant strides in recovery and resilience. This video from the Government of BC highlights the efforts.
In 2018, the spring thaw caused intense flooding in Grand Forks, B.C. Many people lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Six years later, the community has come a long way towards recovery and built up resilience to handle extreme weather in the future. A video release from the Government of BC shows the extraordinary efforts, and stories on the path to future flood mitigation, and how far they have come, in the city of Grand Forks.
New Supports for People Evacuated Due to Emergencies
To better support people who cannot meet their own needs during evacuations from wildfires and other climate emergencies, the Province is introducing several improved measures stemming from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies, including accommodation allows, e-transfers, and updates to the EmergencyInfoBC website.
The Province of BC announced additional and faster support for people evacuated from their homes during an emergency.
To better support people who cannot meet their own needs during evacuations from wildfires and other climate emergencies, the Province is introducing several improved measures stemming from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies, including:
Introducing an accommodation allowance of $200 per night, which is available through Interac e-transfer or at reception centres. This will provide people with greater flexibility choosing where they stay during an evacuation, whether to stay with family or friends, find a hotel on their own or stay at a campground. Alternatively, people can still receive a direct referral to a hotel or other accommodation from their local government or First Nation.
A new Interac e-transfer direct deposit payment option for people who need help securing accommodation during large-scale evacuations. This will help cut down on long lineups at evacuation reception centres and allow people more flexibility and quicker access to emergency funds during an evacuation. People will also have the option of visiting a reception centre to receive financial support in person.
Updating and redesigning the EmergencyInfoBC website (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/) to improve user experience, especially on mobile devices. This includes introducing a new easy-to-use share feature, inviting people to share validated and accurate emergency information with their social network, such as X and Facebook.
People can access the Interac e-transfer support by creating a profile at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/. When there is a large-scale evacuation, people who have created an Emergency Support Services (ESS) profile can log into the online self-service registration tool to receive instructions about the types of supports available to them and how they can be accessed. People are encouraged to create a profile before an emergency as part of their preparedness. The online self-service registration tool may only be available during large-scale evacuations.
People are encouraged to consider getting home or tenant insurance, which is one of the best ways people can protect their families in the event of an emergency. In B.C, home insurance that provides coverage for fire damage and losses is widely available in every community across B.C. Both home and tenant insurance policies typically have additional coverage for living expenses while the person is under evacuation order.
BC Hotel Association Announces Launch of Emergency Management Central Booking Portal
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has announced the development of the Emergency Management Central Booking Portal. This portal will enhance the booking efficiency for Emergency Support Services (ESS) evacuee support in B.C.
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has announced the development of the Emergency Management Central Booking Portal.
The reservation system aims to accelerate the process of sheltering evacuees by enhancing the coordinating and booking efficiencies for Emergency Support Services (ESS) evacuee support in B.C. for the year 2024.
The pilot reservation system will go live in three host communities, Kamloops, Kelowna, and Prince George, in June 2024. The system will provide live availability for accommodations while simultaneously tracking evacuee placements.
BCRTS Statement on Regional Emergency Communications
The BC Regional Tourism Secretariat shared a statement on how provincial, regional, and community organisations are working to improve outcomes for destinations in a crisis situation.
The BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) is working with provincial and community organisations to improve outcomes for destinations in a crisis situation.
Wildfires, landslides, and flooding have arrived in our province. These crises have affected many regions of British Columbia in a short period of time. While prevention of these disasters would be ideal, emergency preparedness and tourism coordination is the next most effective step to ensure both residents and visitors are informed and safe.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) has been working with communities and across various ministries to support a coordinated approach to crises, including with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport (TACS). The Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) worked in tandem with the EMCR to assist in the development of the Tourism Emergency Management Framework. This framework outlines the roles and responsibilities of all levels of government and non-government tourism agencies (Tourism Industry Association of BC, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport, Destination BC, Indigenous Tourism BC, BC Destination Marketing Organization Association, BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, and Emergency Management BC) and identifies how Destination Marketing / Management Organizations play a role to support and assist communities if and when they are asked.
TACS provided one-time funding to the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) to support the regions’ work in implementing the Tourism Emergency Management Framework. The BCRTS is a collaboration among the following five regional destination management organizations: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and 4VI (Vancouver Island). The initiative also includes Vancouver Coast Mountains.
BCRTS Role
The BCRTS is not responsible for leading emergency management efforts before, during or after a crisis. The BCRTS’ role is to ensure familiarity with the Framework and to support the creation and completion of a crisis communications plan for those who would be the key point of contact for visitors to their area (CDMOs, visitor centres, or tourism businesses). During an emergency event, the regions and CDMOs will execute their own plans to support the efforts of the community’s officials and be the tourism point of contact for all parties involved in the emergency management funnel within the community.
BCRTS Services
The BCRTS has partnered with Hatch Comms to provide communities with visitor communications support during an emergency event.
The BCRTS has compiled a basic interim template for CDMOs and tourism partners that have not completed DBC’s crisis comms training; or do not have a plan and need to submit something quickly to receive assistance. The document explains what crisis communications is, the role of a CDMO in a crisis, and the contacts of the various organizations within the frameworks of their community.
The TEMC’s Emergency Communications Guidance for BC’s Tourism Industry provides more in-depth training, templates and checklists.
All of these steps should significantly improve outcomes for destinations with visitors in a variety of crisis situations by providing a singular source of accurate information. This will also support the destination’s communications and economy should they be in a nearby but unaffected destination, keeping visitors confidently flowing to areas that remain safe to travel.
The Province, Destination British Columbia, and the Tourism Industry Association of BC support this BCRTS initiative.
“Keeping people safe during an emergency is imperative and a top priority for our government. We are committed to working with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat and other provincial and community tourism partners to ensure the people in BC’s tourism sector, local communities, and our visitors have resources and information in advance of an emergency, so people know where to go, what to do, and what dangers to avoid.”
“Timely and accurate information sharing in a time of crisis is crucial to maintaining BC’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination, and ensuring business continuity for thousands of tourism operators around the province. We can only achieve this by closely collaborating with our tourism partners and government agencies, at all levels.”
We would be more than happy to schedule a virtual meeting to discuss any concerns or to further clarify our tourism support role within the emergency framework. To schedule a time, please email info@TOTABC.com.
Thank you,
Ellen Walker-Matthews
Vice-Chair, BC Regional Tourism Secretariat
Chief Executive Officer, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Updates & Resources: Floods and Road Closures
TOTA will continue to share the official announcements on the TOTA News Centre and the Thompson Okanagan Know Before You Go page. Read on for information about resources to support residents and businesses.
On November 17, 2021, the B.C. government declared a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the provincewide response and recovery from the widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in British Columbia.
TOTA Crisis Response
Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the floods and landslides. Thank you to the first responders and the many people assisting others through this situation.
TOTA will continue to share the official announcements on the TOTA News Centre, resources in the section below, and the Thompson Okanagan Know Before You Go page.
TOTA employs a Crisis Management Coordinator, who regularly engages with Emergency Management BC, to closely monitor the region and work with impacted communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and other stakeholders.
As well, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program advisors continue to support tourism business operators in the region and are available to provide 1:1 support.
We invite you to share your current experiences so we can inform government of the evolving situation. Feel free to email Recovery@TOTABC.com with any questions or concerns.
Resources
Tips to Prepare for a Landslide - Province of British Columbia
Landslides are the down-slope movement of rock or debris. As more homes are built onto steep slopes, landslides become a greater hazard for both people and buildings.
It’s important to take time to prepare and understand what to do before, during and after a major landslide.
Get prepared
The best way to prepare for a landslide is to be aware of changes that could signal one. To report suspected landslide indicators, call the 24-hour provincial toll-free number at 1-800-663-3456, contact 9-1-1 or call your local fire, police or public works department.
Landslides are the down-slope movement of rock or debris. As more homes are built onto steep slopes, landslides become a greater hazard for both people and buildings.
It’s important to take time to prepare and understand what to do before, during and after a major landslide.
Get prepared
The best way to prepare for a landslide is to be aware of changes that could signal one. To report suspected landslide indicators, call the 24-hour provincial toll-free number at 1-800-663-3456, contact 9-1-1 or call your local fire, police or public works department.
Landslide or debris flow indicators may include:
Sudden changes in stream flow
Rapid changes or pulses in stream flow (e.g. changes in volume) or pulses of sediment (e.g. changes from clear to murky water)
Abnormally dirty water
Accumulation of large logs or debris
Rapid accumulation of sediment or bed-load along a flat section of a creek channel
Tension cracks near the top of a slope
Falling rocks or boulders or flowing or sliding soil. This may precede a much larger landslide
Stay safe
Leave the area immediately if you observe the following:
A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume
Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together
If you are caught in a landslide with no option to evacuate, curl in a tight ball and protect your head and neck
Landslide information guide
Prepare your household, protect your property and know what to do if a landslide occurs.
For more information or inquiries about this guide, please contact us at PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca.
BCEDA Resources for Flood Impacted Individuals & Businesses - Google Docs
The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA), has made a resource guide available on Google Docs, which contains information for individuals and businesses that have been impacted by the flooding in BC.
This guide contains information on travel, weather, pets & livestock, community information and ESS locations, sandbag locations, Red Cross, health, disaster financial assistance, Employment Insurance and much more.
IF you have a resource that you think should be added you can email info@bceda.ca
The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA), has made a resource guide available on Google Docs, which contains information for individuals and businesses that have been impacted by the flooding in BC.
This guide contains information on travel, weather, pets & livestock, community information and ESS locations, sandbag locations, Red Cross, health, disaster financial assistance, Employment Insurance and much more.
IF you have a resource that you think should be added you can email info@bceda.ca
Local Economic Recovery & Restart Toolkit
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to announce the launch of their newest manual as part of the Economic Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Program. The Local Economic Recovery and Restart Toolkit provides a collection of resources developed to assist local councils, organizations and individuals involved in community economic recovery following an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and floods.
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to announce the launch of their newest manual as part of the Economic Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Program. The Local Economic Recovery and Restart Toolkit provides a collection of resources developed to assist local councils, organizations and individuals involved in community economic recovery following an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and floods.
As noticed during COVID-19, disasters can fundamentally change the social and economic makeup of impacted communities. The better a community can recognize these impacts, the better they are positioned to take actions that will spur a more rapid economic recovery. This manual is designed to help local and indigenous governments be better prepared for when the next disaster strikes and help complement current efforts to overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Topics Include:
Local Economic Recovery Committees
Managing Economic Recovery Centres
Economic Recovery Action Plans
Economic Recovery Communication
Mental Health
Templates Include:
Local Economic Recovery Committee - First Meeting Agenda
Economic Recovery Manager - Duties and Responsibilities
Media Release - Opening of an Economic Recovery Centre
Economic Recovery Centre Intake Form
Economic Recovery Centre Daily Briefing
Economic Recovery Communication Strategy