News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Indigenous Tourism BC Job Opportunity: Indigenous Tourism Specialists
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is looking for candidates for an Indigenous Tourism Specialist position.
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is looking for candidates for an Indigenous Tourism Specialist position in four of the province’s regions including the Thompson Okanagan.
This is a full-time position and the Indigenous Tourism Specialist will support the advancement of Indigenous Tourism by providing responsible and respectful regional-specific support through meaningful engagement with local communities and tourism partners.
Interested candidates can submit a cover letter, resume, and references to gail@IndigenousBC.com by August 9, 2024.
ITBC Seeks Tourism and Business Development Experts to Work with Indigenous Tourism Businesses in BC
ITBC invites Indigenous experts in various fields to register in their database that they will share with Indigenous tourism businesses, communities, organizations, and entrepreneurs. ITBC hopes these new connections will inspire businesses to work together to enhance and strengthen the Indigenous tourism industry.
ITBC invites Indigenous experts in various fields to register in their database that they will share with Indigenous tourism businesses, communities, organizations, and entrepreneurs. ITBC hopes these new connections will inspire businesses to work together to enhance and strengthen the Indigenous tourism industry.
ITBC is looking for experts for business support in the following categories:
Business plan development and feasibility study
Business operations/operational adaptation
Digital innovation
Experience development
Visitor experience
ITBC seeks experts with a minimum of four years of relevant experience in any of the above categories for work with Indigenous communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Find BC Indigenous Businesses with the ITBC Trip Planner App
The Indigenous BC Trip Planner app is a trip planning and educational tool that guides visitors through the Indigenous territories of BC and their unique, immersive experiences. Use the app to discover places to go, places to stay, and things to do in BC. Find authentic Indigenous experiences and businesses, learn common Indigenous words and phrases, and hear traditional songs, stories, and legends.
Tourism businesses can share the app with their guests or connect with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential partnerships.
The Indigenous BC Trip Planner app is a trip planning and educational tool that guides visitors through the Indigenous territories of BC and their unique, immersive experiences. Use the app to discover places to go, places to stay, and things to do in BC. Find authentic Indigenous experiences and businesses, learn common Indigenous words and phrases, and hear traditional songs, stories, and legends.
Tourism businesses can share the app with their guests or connect with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential partnerships.
ITBC Seeking Indigenous Knowledge Keepers
ITBC is looking for Indigenous Knowledge Keepers to add to a list of reliable resources to share with partners and for invitations to participate in a variety of upcoming projects.
Indigenous Knowledge Keepers are invited to apply, including Elders, language speakers, storytellers, dancers, singers, drummers, land tour guides, artists, or plant medicine enthusiasts.
The main benefit of involvement is increased global exposure for Indigenous tourism operation. ITBC will also provide an honorarium based on the type of involvement.
If your business and/or community works with an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, please share this opportunity with them.
ITBC is looking for Indigenous Knowledge Keepers to add to a list of reliable resources to share with partners and for invitations to participate in a variety of upcoming projects.
Indigenous Knowledge Keepers are invited to apply, including Elders, language speakers, storytellers, dancers, singers, drummers, land tour guides, artists, or plant medicine enthusiasts.
The main benefit of involvement is increased global exposure for Indigenous tourism operation. ITBC will also provide an honorarium based on the type of involvement.
If your business and/or community works with an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, please share this opportunity with them.
Invest in Iconics - Virtual Regional Workshops with Indigenous Tourism BC on January 13 & 18, 2022
Indigenous Tourism companies are invited to join Indigenous Tourism BC for an engaging session where you contribute your ideas to shape the future of tourism in B.C.
Indigenous Tourism Stakeholders, non-Stakeholders, communities, entrepreneurs and knowledge keepers are invited to join Indigenous Tourism BC for an engaging session where you contribute your ideas to shape the future of tourism in B.C.
In this session, you will:
Participate in a series of interactive activities.
Learn more about the Invest in Iconic’s strategy.
Meet other Indigenous Tourism leaders in your area.
Share your perspective in a respectful space.
Have fun! Indigenous Tourism BC is working with graphic designers to create a more interactive session that allows you to visually see your feedback in real-time.
Reward yourself with multiple chances to win a $100 honorarium for your time.
The workshop will be facilitated by Beverley O’Neil (Ktunaxa) and Brian Payer (Objibwe) of O’Neil Marketing and Consulting. With more than 60 years experience and proven results, Beverley and Brian are excited to bring their expertise in tourism and economic development.
Register for a Thompson Okanagan Session:
Thursday January 13, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday January 18, 2022 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
If you have any questions related to event registration, please email Jordie@IndigenousBC.com
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.
New Program Aims To "Spark" New Indigenous Tourism Ideas Across British Columbia | Apply by January 17, 2022
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), Destination BC and the Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to launch the Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program. The initiative will spark new Indigenous tourism ideas and experiences which authentically represent, celebrate, and promote Indigenous cultures, heritage, language, cuisine, and communities in British Columbia
The program works by matching selected applicants with a tourism mentor, providing a $5,000 seed grant as well as additional partner support to help develop new tourism experiences. Applications are encouraged from Indigenous entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in British Columbia, from November 9 to January 17, 2022. Following a review process, five finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session on January 25, 2022 where three winners will be selected.
Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), Destination BC and the Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to launch the Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program. The initiative will spark new Indigenous tourism ideas and experiences which authentically represent, celebrate, and promote Indigenous cultures, heritage, language, cuisine, and communities in British Columbia
The program works by matching selected applicants with a tourism mentor, providing a $5,000 seed grant as well as additional partner support to help develop new tourism experiences. Applications are encouraged from Indigenous entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in British Columbia, from November 9 to January 17, 2022. Following a review process, five finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session on January 25, 2022 where three winners will be selected.
The organizers are especially interested in new Indigenous tourism ideas that support and/or offer shoulder season activities in rural areas, opportunities for guided interpretive programs, learning and creating authentic crafts with artists, culinary experiences, and ideas that support truth and reconciliation, sustainability and/or address climate change.
Funders and supporters of the Indigenous Tourism BC “Spark” Program include Destination BC, Indigenous Tourism BC, and TD Bank Group.
Supports for Indigenous Tourism Businesses Continue | BC Gov News
Indigenous tourism businesses will receive another financial boost to aid in pandemic recovery and foster growth through the continued partnership of the Province and Indigenous Tourism BC.
The Province initially provided $5 million to Indigenous Tourism B.C. (ITBC) to create the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund. It is now is providing an additional $3 million for a second intake.
Indigenous tourism businesses will receive another financial boost to aid in pandemic recovery and foster growth through the continued partnership of the Province and Indigenous Tourism BC.
The Province initially provided $5 million to Indigenous Tourism B.C. (ITBC) to create the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund. It is now is providing an additional $3 million for a second intake.
Launched in February 2021, the fund provides grants to Indigenous tourism businesses, including lodges and resorts, restaurants, outdoor adventure experiences, galleries and gift shops owned by Indigenous people. Recipients can use the funds to keep the lights on and pay rent or employee wages. The intake opening date for the second round of the recovery grant will be announced by ITBC in the coming weeks.
Quick Facts:
There are more than 480 Indigenous tourism businesses, within the 203 First Nations in British Columbia.
Prior to the pandemic, Indigenous tourism was the fastest-growing sector of the tourism industry. It generated $705 million in direct gross domestic output and created 7,400 direct full-time jobs.
140 Indigenous tourism businesses received grants through the first round of the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund, which is a partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC.
These grants have assisted in maintaining nearly 1,200 jobs in communities throughout B.C. in the past year.
The BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund is part of the Province’s actions to support the recovery of the tourism industry.
Indigenous Tourism BC Annual General Meeting - Tuesday, November 16 2021
The ITBC Annual General Meeting, to be held online via Zoom on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, will focus on resiliency and growth, as Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is continuously inspired by the resiliency and adaptability of Indigenous tourism businesses as they respond and innovate to the current environment.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Indigenous tourism industry in BC met this year’s many challenges by Paddling Forward, Together.
The Annual General Meeting, to be held online via Zoom on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, will focus on resiliency and growth, as Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is continuously inspired by the resiliency and adaptability of Indigenous tourism businesses as they respond and innovate to the current environment.
ITBC is confident that shared changes and challenges will contribute to an even greater outcome for Indigenous Peoples. Paddling Forward, Together will not only sustain Indigenous tourism in BC, but contribute to an environment that supports Indigenous success and wellness.
B.C. Large Operator Survey | TIABC / BCHA / ITBC
Provincial industry associations are collecting data to use in our conversations with various levels of government about the types of relief and assistance packages required for the industry and for large operators. Please complete the survey by May 7.
The BC Hotel Association, the Tourism Industry Association of BC, and Indigenous Tourism BC have been advocating for the needs of larger BC tourism and hospitality operators. As part of that advocacy, they have been meeting with various levels of government to discuss relief and assistance measures. As a result of those discussions, they have been asked to provide additional industry level data, specific to the large operators, about your collective situation and needs.
The purpose of collecting this data is to aggregate the data for us to use in our conversations with various levels of government about the types of relief and assistance packages required for the industry and for large operators. No individual company data, nor individual responses to any of the questions will be shared with government officials or other entities. This information will be treated as confidential and only used at the aggregate level.
The survey has 21 questions and should take approximately 10-12 minutes to complete.
Preparation for Survey
There are several questions that require more detailed data on BC assets, financial metrics, and employee demographics. We would recommend that you have your financial data for 2019 and 2020 available, and your employee demographics data if you collect that type of information. We have provided a preview of the full list of questions as an attachment in order for you to prepare to complete the online survey.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the survey, or the purpose of it, please contact membership@bcha.com