The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Honourable Mike Farnworth, announced under the Emergency Program Act an order restricting non-essential travel between certain regions of the province effective from April 23, 2021 until May 25, 2021. The order combines BC's five health authorities into three (3) regions of the province. Travel into and out of the regions for non-essential reasons is not allowed and is now prohibited by law.
Read MoreTo commemorate World Earth Day, The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) came together with four other regional destination management organization counterparts under the B.C. Regional Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS), including the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern B.C. and Tourism Vancouver Island, to support their signing of a letter of commitment to pursue the Responsible Tourism Institute’s Biosphere certification. TOTA successfully received this designation in 2017, and is proud to work with regional partners to help further collective initiatives and make a far-reaching positive impact.
Read MorePremier John Horgan announced new provincial restrictions today that, together with increased vaccinations, should help to bend the curve and hopefully Save Our Summer. The new restrictions will remain in place until after the May Long Weekend (including the previously announced restrictions on indoor dining).
The Premier also noted that as of Friday, new orders under the Emergency Program Act will be put in place to restrict British Columbians from making non-essential travel bookings in B.C. outside the health authority in which they reside. Tourism operators have been asked to assist in this effort by voluntarily declining reservations from customers residing outside their health region until after the May long weekend.
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