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.

Funding for Intern Programs | Mitacs

Mitacs designs and delivers research and training programs in Canada, including the Business Strategy Internship and Accelerate Program, which match an organization’s funding towards the project, up to $7,500, which covers a student’s stipend. BSIs are focused on designing and implementing an innovation strategy to tackle a business problem. Accelerate supports research projects that are eligible for peer-review.

Business Strategy Internship

Mitacs is bringing their Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program back for a second year. The BSI connects students from academic institutions with businesses and nonprofits to support innovation. With the guidance of an academic supervisor, these interns provide technical expertise on everything from operations to finance, to marketing, to intellectual property, and beyond to help businesses develop and implement their innovation roadmap—and Mitacs funding will support you to bring these students onboard!

Accelerate Program

The Accelerate Program supports organizations to enlist students to work on research projects. Solve your research challenges with academic expertise, leveraged funding, and one-to-one support from Mitacs. Internships start at four months and can scale up as much as you need — your financial contribution starts at $7,500.