News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
BSAFE™️ Program Updated with Proof of Vaccination Information
go2HR's free online health and safety program for employees, BSAFE, has been updated to reflect Provincial Health Orders. BSAFE now includes BC Proof of Vaccination protocols as well as Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
go2HR's free online health and safety program for employees, BSAFE, has been updated to reflect Provincial Health Orders. BSAFE now includes BC Proof of Vaccination protocols as well as Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
This program is designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge for BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone — workers, guests and communities — safe as we continue to move through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Course details:
Free for BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees
Created by go2HR in partnership with tourism and hospitality stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports
Asynchronous, online training course, 90-minutes in length
Organizations and individuals are able to sign up to take part in the BSAFE training. You can join the over 400 organizations who are already registered and working on becoming BSAFE Trained businesses. Upon full completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.
Employers who have 75% of their workforce successfully complete the training course, will be recognized with a “BSAFE Trained” certificate. They can use this certificate in different ways to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe environment for guests and workers, thereby increasing consumer confidence. go2HR will provide a communications toolkit for BSAFE Trained business to easily assist them in promoting this new designation.
New Province-wide Program Supports B.C.’s Anchor Tourism Organizations
The newly announced Major Anchor Attractions Program provides one-time emergency funding to major anchor attractions and tour bus companies that service tourism attractions to help them operate at minimal levels until domestic travel resumes and it's safe to gather indoors in small groups. The application window will be open until June 7 with funds provided in July 2021.
The Province is now accepting applications for support through B.C.’s new major anchor attractions and tour bus companies funding program.
The newly announced Major Anchor Attractions Program provides one-time emergency funding to major anchor attractions and tour bus companies that service tourism attractions to help them operate at minimal levels until domestic travel resumes and it's safe to gather indoors in small groups. The program is available to businesses and not-for-profits.
Anchor attractions and tour bus companies face high fixed costs because of their infrastructure and minimum staffing requirements. With funding announced in Budget 2021, the $50-million BC Major Anchor Attractions Program may offer up to $1 million per attraction through one-time grants.
Eligible expenses include payroll, rent and utility costs related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening in alignment with provincial health orders. The funding is available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses.
The application window will be open until June 7 with funds provided in July 2021.
Quick Facts:
Examples of criteria and eligible organizations include:
major anchor attractions in urban centres that receive 75,000 or more visitors per year – eligible for up to $1 million.
major anchor attractions in rural areas that receive 15,000 or more visitors per year – eligible for up to $500,000.
tour bus companies that serve 30,000 or more passengers per year – eligible for up to $500,000.
examples of “turnstile” attractions eligible for the program include amusement parks, wildlife parks, botanical gardens, heritage institutions, museums, galleries and science centres.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/economic-recovery/attractions-program.
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
British Columbia’s Regional Tourism Secretariat Supports Minister’s Strategic Framework
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2019
Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueum and Squamish Territory (Vancouver, BC)
Members of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat were present as the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lisa Beare unveiled the new strategic framework for tourism in BC at the annual tourism industry conference in Vancouver.
“On behalf of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, representing each of the Provinces’ Tourism Regions, we could not be more proud with the bold leadership and direction outlined in this strategic framework for tourism by Minister Beare today,” shared Secretariat Chair, Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “This bold new strategy presents a blueprint for the Province’s future, clearly articulating a responsible and sustainable approach to the advancement of tourism which respects and recognizes people, culture and our environment as the critical path to success.”
Putting people, culture and environment at the heart of tourism are principals strongly supported by our members. The Secretariat looks forward to supporting implementation of this transformative strategy with industry and staff across government ministries.
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About British Columbia’s Regional Tourism Secretariat
British Columbia’s Regional Tourism Secretariat is a coalition of industry-led, not-for-profit organizations that provide a trusted voice for businesses, communities and residents. Consisting of the five regional tourism organizations, the goal of Secretariat is to put people and communities at the heart of BC’s tourism industry.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association:
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO E: ceo@totabc.com
Northern BC Tourism Association:
Clint Fraser, CEO E: clint@nbctourism.com
Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association:
Kathy Cooper, CEO E: kathy@kootenayrockies.com
Tourism Association of Vancouver Island:
Anthony Everett, CEO E: anthony@tourismvi.ca
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association:
Amy Thacker, CEO E: amy@landwithoutlimits.com
