Call for insights to support SFU study on advancing tourism resilience through big data and smart destination practices

TOTA is seeking tourism business owners and operators to share knowledge and insights in the study From panic to planning: Advancing tourism resilience through big data and smart destination practices by participating in a short one-on-one interview in February to April 2024. This study, in partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU), looks to better understand the role of data for decision making in tourism related organizations.

By participating you will help TOTA to understand the specific data needs of the regional industry and to better tailor data programs and services to fit these needs.

Participants will receive a report highlighting the findings of the study for use in their own organization. 

Individuals that wish to participate are invited to reach out to Scott Peters from SFU, who is focusing his PhD on tourism resiliency in the Thompson Okanagan region and will be conducting the interviews.

Interviews are typically 20-40 minutes in length depending of the level of insights the participants wish to share.

There are three interview options:

1. Video call interviews: February 7 - April 30, 2024

2. Email interviews: February 7 - April 30, 2024

3. In-person interviews: April 15 - April 30, 2024

The interview questions serve as a guideline and conversation can be tailed to your specific industry and insights.

View Interview Questions →

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How to Get Involved

Expression of interest to participate or any questions regarding this study can be sent to Scott_Peters@SFU.ca

Before your interview, please fill out the study consent form HERE and email Scott_Peters@SFU.ca

We look forward to the opportunity to learn from your insights. 

Share Your Insights to Enhance Resilience Planning Using Big Data

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is supporting a study called “From panic to planning: Advancing tourism resilience through big data and smart destination practices,” which looks at the utilization and adaptation of tourism-specific, data-driven decision support systems in British Columbia.

The research is seeking Thompson Okanagan tourism business owners and operators to share their perspectives on the following questions:

• Can a combination of big data, smart destination practices, social-economic resilience based systems thinking, and decision support technology enhance a tourism industry’s emergency preparedness and resilience planning?

• Can access to big data, awareness of smart destination thinking, and access to real-time decision support technology help shift a reactive industry planning culture to one of proactive preparedness?
  
  

Share Your Insights

Insights will be collected through an in-person or video interview, over 20-60 minutes, depending on the number of insights and thoughts you wish to share.

Interviews will consist of a combination of offset questions and a free flow conversation. A list of these questions can be sent to you upon request.

To schedule an interview, please contact Scott Peters at Scott_Peters@SFU.ca or +1-778-878-2557.

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About the Study

The research is being conducted by Prof. Peter Keller and PhD student Scott Peters of the Simon Fraser University Department of Geography, and is partially funded through a Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship Grant.

The information collected through stakeholder engagement will enable better understanding of local needs and priorities related to tourism planning and decision-making. The research will expand the utility of the Tourism Impact Portal, a data-driven decision support platform that integrates stakeholder feedback. This process will enhance the foundation of the system as well as fill in data and knowledge gaps, and allow for the development of a blueprint for scaling the program.

TIABC Training & Recruitment Opportunity: Send a Letter of Support

TIABC, in partnership with Western Community College and Progressive Intercultural Community Services, is working to submit a proposal to operate a Community Workforce Response Grant program (CWRG) specifically focused on creating a pool of talent for the tourism sector. Training will focus on skills required by tourism operators, along with specific certificates needed for specific roles.

TIABC is requesting letters of support from interested members that can offer a supervised work experience placement opportunity and an opportunity to interview for any upcoming positions that operators may be hiring for. Members who provide letters of support will have the first opportunity to hire the graduates of CWRG.

Send your letter of support or any questions to info@tiabc.ca.

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Province Seeks Public Input on Economic Recovery

On June 17, the Province of British Columbia announced a new consultation process for BC residents to voice their ideas on how the Province should allocate monies set aside for recovery.

The province released a paper explaining the consultation process, called “Building B.C.’s Recovery, Together: Share Your Ideas.”

There are three main ways for people to share their ideas, experiences, and priorities:

A) Online Survey – the fastest and easiest way to provide advice and answers to important questions. Complete the survey at: feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/317781

B) Email – Submit a response to the paper “Building B.C.’s Recovery, Together: Share Your Ideas.” Ideas and responses can be submitted to: recoveryideas@gov.bc.ca

C) Virtual Town Halls – Participate in virtual town halls. British Columbians can learn more about the virtual town halls here: gov.bc.ca/recoveryideas