TOTA Industry Communications Survey Feedback

We asked, you answered! Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback in TOTA’s Industry Communications Survey in March. Your insights will help the TOTA team to better support you in the coming year.

Here's what the industry had to say and our thoughts moving forward:

What content from TOTA is most valuable to you?

1. General Thompson Okanagan tourism news

2. Trends and grant and funding opportunities

3. Professional development in the form of webinars, training programs, and industry events

4. Market research reports

5. British Columbia tourism news and trends

6. Sustainable tourism - specifically with examples, inspirational ‘how to’s and more opportunities to get involved.

7. Updates on regional media coverage and upcoming media and travel trade visits in the region

We will continue to share this information, with a new focus on social media posting, and a new format for the newsletter. The industry newsletter will now be published twice per month instead of weekly, with a succinct, scannable format so you can easily find and access the information that’s important to you.

What sustainability initiatives would you like to see from TOTA?

1. Examples of sustainability initiatives and practices

2. Composting, recycling, and plastics

3. Water and energy

4. Regenerative, green, and eco tourism

5. Grants and funding to be more sustainable

6. Training, events, and tips

7. Biosphere

We will incorporate this information into the new Destination Stewardship section of every industry newsletter.

What skills, trends, or topics do you want to learn more about?

1. Marketing and PR

2. Trends, insights, and research

3. Sustainability and the environment

4. People + Culture - customer service, staff relations, the labour market

5. Grant writing

6. Economic and destination development and management

7. Social media best practices

Great news! There are already many resources available for free or low cost, including:

Destination BC Tourism Digital Academy and eLearningU digital marketing and trend webinars and recordings.

Symphony Tourism Services (TOTA’s subsidiary) publishes report and can assist with data, trends, insights, and custom research.

TOTA is working with the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS) to launch the Tourism Impact Portal, a dashboard of key data.

The BC Tourism Sustainability Network and Biosphere Commitment Program

The Great Taste of Canada and Buy BC will assist with development of culinary/agritourism.

Hatch Comms will provide proactive and real time Crisis Communications support and emergency management for community DMOs.

go2HR provides BC resources like a job board, training for staff, support for HR managers, and labour market research.

The TOTA team will continue to seek out resources to assist with these top topics. 

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Thank You for Your Feedback

Thanks again for generously sharing your time, experience, and feedback so the whole Thompson Okanagan tourism industry can benefit.

If you would like more information or have more to say, please respond to this email with any questions or comments.