News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Emergency Preparedness Week Resources (May 5-11, 2024)
Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5 to 11 in 2024, and is a great time to learn about getting prepared for emergencies, such as reviewing the updated resources from the Province of BC and Destination BC.
May 5-11, 2024 is Emergency Preparedness Week in BC, and it's a great time for individuals and businesses to learn about getting prepared for emergencies.
The Province has a wealth of resources available including;
Using technology in emergency management
Knowing the hazards in your community, using the PreparedBC Hazard Map
How to make an emergency plan
Throughout the week, Destination BC will be highlighting the Tourism Emergency Management Committee's (TEMC) work, messaging and resources through their newsletter, website, and LinkedIn, under the slogan “Prepare and Share”.
Here are a couple of examples:
Updated emergency messaging guide, infographics, and resources for industry
New and updated Infographics (in the TEMC’s public Google Hub)
Reminders to create crisis comms plans (TEMC comms guidance and check-lists)
Suggested emergency apps/platforms: Alertable, BC Wildfire, Drive BC etc.
Also to note, as part of Emergency Preparedness Week, an emergency alert test will be issued to cellphones, television and radio at 10:55 am (PT) on Wednesday, May 8.
The test alert will go to all compatible cellphones, and will interrupt radio and television broadcasts. This test will assess the system’s readiness for an actual emergency and identify any required adjustments.
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.
Proactive Crisis Communications Support to Communities Around the Province
The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) announced a partnership with Hatch Comms to provide increased proactive crisis communications support to BC Community Destination Management Organizations for visitors during an emergency event. Visitors to British Columbia can travel with greater confidence knowing their safety and wellbeing are a top priority to tourism destinations.
Visitors to British Columbia can travel with greater confidence knowing their safety and wellbeing are a top consideration to area tourism associations. The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), which includes the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), announced a partnership with Hatch Comms that will provide increased proactive crisis communications support to related Community Destination Management Organizations (CDMO) for visitors during an emergency event.
During crises in recent years, the BCRTS has been a source for critical messages, management training, and information for visitors in the region. The goal of this partnership is to improve crisis communications leadership, and for communities to use it as the primary resource, support, and contact for tourism, travel and media messaging during a crisis that is being handled on a local level.
“The most vital service we can offer visitors during emergency situations is timely, clear, and accurate information that is easily and consistently accessible,” said BCRTS Vice Chair and TOTA CEO, Ellen Walker-Matthews. “Providing leadership and resources to help our destinations plan for the unexpected and calmly communicate real-time information will be a huge benefit to industry, media, and visitors at times of crisis.”
Increased wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters are happening with greater frequency and severity in the age of climate change. Ahead of what has been predicted to be another busy emergency season, the BCRTS and Hatch Comms are ensuring relevant Community Destination Management Organizations have crisis communications plans in place. These efforts include updating existing destination plans as well as building new ones via approved frameworks and training programs from Destination British Columbia and the BC Tourism Emergency Management Committee. This will ensure that all situations are well-thought out, responses are prepared, and key stakeholder and media contacts are identified before the busy visitor season commences.
How it Works:
When a Community Destination Management Organization activates the BCRTS emergency support system, Hatch will help the destination implement their crisis communications plans during a high stress situation. This support will ensure that the destination operates within the chain of communications of the appropriate agencies to access official messaging which will then be communicated back through the established tourism channels. 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.
Visitors are encouraged to visit Destination British Columbia’s Know Before You Go page and the regional websites for specific areas they may be planning to visit.
This project is a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Destination British Columbia; and the BCRTS.
About British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat:
The British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat 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). This initiative also includes the sixth region, Vancouver Coast & Mountains.
The 5 regions under BCRTS are not-for-profit societies governed by the BC Societies Act. They are an industry-led organization, governed by an elected Board of Directors, who represent and support business and community tourism interests throughout each region.
About Hatch Comms:
Hatch Comms, a subsidiary of Hatch Hospitality, is a lifestyle PR agency that specializes in hotels, destinations, wineries, restaurants, ingredients, and culinary talent. Tourism, travel, and hospitality are all about experiencing the detail and beauty of different lifestyles. Hatch Comms offers clients personalized service that is all about results and relationships. The Hatch team is seasoned experts who are passionate about what they do and thrive on clients' successes, and have enjoyed representing some of the world’s most beautiful, delicious and engaging businesses for more than 25 years.
Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database
Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation.
Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation.
Updated Destination BC Messaging Guidance on How to Travel in BC This Winter
Both federal and provincial updates to current COVID-19 restrictions and border measures are now reflected in Destination BC’s Winter Travel Guide, which provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC.
Visitors will need to know what rules, recommendations and expectations are in place in BC to keep them, our residents, and our businesses safe, as they travel BC this winter. Refer people to Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page for the latest information; update any info on your site to reflect the latest recommendations.
Both federal and provincial updates to current COVID-19 restrictions and border measures are now reflected in Destination BC’s Winter Travel Guide, which provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for BC’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within BC.
Visitors will need to know what rules, recommendations and expectations are in place in BC to keep them, our residents, and our businesses safe, as they travel BC this winter. Refer people to Destination BC’s Know Before You Go page for the latest information; update any info on your site to reflect the latest recommendations.
DBC Messaging Guidance for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated January 18, 2022
Destination BC has updated its Special Edition: Emergency Response to the BC Storm Messaging Guidance document which outlines key messaging, information, and resources for BC’s tourism industry. It includes guidance for Regional and Community/City Destination Marketing Organisations, Sector Associations, and Tourism Businesses. Please refer to the messaging guide for information on how you can support your community, residents, visitors, and each other during this difficult time. Messaging will continue to be updated as the situation evolves.
Destination BC has updated the Messaging Guidance for B.C. Tourism Industry: How to Travel in B.C. this Winter.
The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for B.C.’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within B.C. this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves.
Winter Travel Toolkit for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated December 16, 2021
B.C.’s tourism associations have developed a toolkit to guide operators in advising the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter, with the unique challenges caused by the 2021 floods and road closures. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website.
British Columbians have faced unprecedented challenges from severe weather and flooding that have impacted the normal ability to travel between the Lower Mainland and the rest of the province.
While the work is ongoing to repair the damage done, we can still travel to connect with family and enjoy winter recreation if we plan ahead and prepare for situations that can shift rapidly. Many of us are eager to travel and see family and friends this winter.
This toolkit is designed as a guide for operators with the information needed by the public to plan travel in British Columbia this winter. Operators can share this document, include the information in their communications, and provide links on their website.
People can get from the Lower Mainland to the Interior by driving via Highway 99 as of Dec 20, via Highway 3 as of Dec 21, and via the United States. They can also take advantage of the lower rates and extra capacity a number of airlines have added, or travel via existing commercial bus operators.
Situations can evolve rapidly, and we’ll do our best to keep everyone informed by updating this toolkit and the links to critical information that should reflect changes to travel information.
Keeping Visitors to the Thompson Okanagan Safe During Emergencies
Government of British Columbia
From the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture
For Immediate Release
2019TAC0067-001125
“The last two summers of unprecedented wildfires were hard on tourism-dependent communities,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “We know that one of the biggest challenges the industry faced was getting accurate, up-to-date information to visitors. This year, we’re helping the tourism sector prepare to keep visitors safe during emergencies and making sure tourism in affected areas can rebound quickly.”
The B.C. government is providing a total of $200,000 in one-time grants to support regional destination marketing organizations’ emergency preparedness, including $25,000 to the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
“Timely, accurate information is essential in emergencies,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “The tourism sector can play a critical role in keeping people safe, especially in rural and remote areas. This investment is helping the industry plan ahead so people can get the information they need, when they need it, keeping visitors safe and local economies strong.”
The regional destination marketing organizations will use this funding to create a common set of communications tools, emergency management training for regional teams and co- ordinators, and expand their tourism database to enable real-time information sharing in the event of an emergency. Together, these activities will help mitigate the effects of natural disasters on B.C.’s tourism reputation through better preparedness, co-ordination and communication.
“On behalf of the Thompson Okanagan Region, we applaud the Province in recognizing the importance of improving our crisis management and in providing emergency management funds in order to make this a reality,” said Glenn Mandziuk, president and CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “In a short time, we will announce the addition of a crisis management co-ordinator in the Thompson Okanagan to work closely with our other regional partners. Through this process, we envision accurate, timely and concise information will be more readily available to residents and tourists alike during emergency situations.”
The government announced the grants as part of B.C. Tourism Week, May 26-June 2, 2019, which highlights the industry’s vital importance to B.C.’s economy by creating jobs, strengthening communities and promoting year-round tourism in all four corners of the province.
LEARN MORE:
Learn how tourism operators can prepare for emergencies: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response- recovery/preparedbc
Learn more about how to personally prepare for an emergency: http://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
Read the minister’s statement on B.C. Tourism Week: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TAC0039-001066
A backgrounder follows.
CONTACT:
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Government Communications and Public Engagement
BACkgrounder
Facts about tourism and emergency preparedness:
The B.C. government supports municipalities by investing more than $145 million annually in the tourism sector.
B.C. is a top destination for visitors from around the globe:
In 2018, more than six million visitors came to B.C.
In 2018, the tourism sector generated approximately $18.4 billion in revenue and employed more than 137,000 people.
Over the most recent two years, the Province has invested $2.7 million to help attract tourists back to areas affected by wildfires.
To support community resiliency in the face of wildfires, floods and other emergencies, the B.C. government gave a $31-million boost to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for local governments and First Nations, bringing the total to $69.5 million.
The Province is also supporting volunteer and composite fire departments throughout B.C. with a $5-million boost for equipment and training through the Province’s CEPF.
In addition, the B.C. government provided $10 million in provincial funding to support communities in their recovery from the 2018 wildfire season.
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect