New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Watermark Beach Resort

Join TOTA in welcoming Watermark Beach Resort to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program.

Watermark Beach Resort is located in Osoyoos, BC, and invites visitors to enjoy the South Okanagan lifestyle while lounging on the beach or by the pool. They offer condo-style suites and amenities like the swimming pool that overlooks Okanagan Lake, dining at 15 Park Bistro, as well as proximity to the beach, dining, and other activities in Osoyoos. 

15 Park Bistro at Watermark Resort serves food with locally sourced ingredients paired with Okanagan Valley wines.

Sustainability Initiatives

Watermark Beach Resort is committed to making sustainable choices to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to the well-being of its community. 

Several factors inspire the team to continue making these sustainable choices: 

• The team believes that sustainability works best when it is a community practice; setting examples for their guests by implementing sustainable practices can encourage them to adopt their own eco-friendly actions to protect the region they are visiting. Sustainable-conscious guests are increasingly seeking eco-friendly options when they visit the region. 

• Watermark has also installed low-flow toilets, reduced their plastic consumption by providing filtered water stations for staff and guests of the resort, and is sourcing products from local suppliers and those who prioritize sustainability. By implementing these sustainable practices, they have reduced costs and offer an easy choice for eco-conscious visitors.

• One of their latest sustainability initiatives can be found when you pull up to the resort: electric vehicle charging stations, available for both guests and employees, to encourage more sustainable travel choices that will reduce emissions and promote a greener community to live, work, and play in.

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program developed by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with the necessary tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program aligns ongoing and future business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification to prepare businesses for a globally recognized certification. By accessing the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform, organizations can create customized sustainability plans and utilize dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

Destination BC Launches First Iconic Brand, Rainforest to Rockies

Destination BC is branding, marketing, and supporting destination development of new, globally compelling routes and places that span the entire province of British Columbia. These new place brands will inspire more travellers to visit more places in the province, throughout the year.

The first Iconic brand to launch from Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics strategy is now live for the world to see. Rainforest to Rockies, is an iconic Canadian journey along ever-changing landscapes, inspiring travellers to visit more places in the province.

On HelloBC.com/Rainforest-to-Rockies, travellers can choose their own adventure and enjoy the journey from Vancouver on the Pacific Coast to the Canadian Rockies through several routes, like Highway 3, 5, and 1, to various communities, including destinations in the Thompson Okanagan, such as Kamloops, Mt Robson, Osoyoos and the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

The TOTA team looks forward to working with Destination BC to promote this iconic route through the region.

Learn More at DestinationBC.ca.

Industry Shout Out & Enter to Win: Moon Curser Vineyards Celebrates 20 Years

Moon Curser Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned winery on the East Bench of Osoyoos, a South Okanagan border town known for its hot summers, lakeside fun, and vineyards.

Chris and Beata Tolley, founders of Moon Curser

Moon Curser has been in operation for 20 years, since 2004 when Chris and Beata Tolley purchased an old orchard in need of replanting and set about converting it into what is now the Moon Curser Home Vineyard block, winery, and tasting room.

The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the gold smuggling history of Osoyoos. The Moon Curser wines, however, break from tradition – the winery’s focus has always been on making premium wines from old-world grape varieties not previously planted in the Okanagan such as Tannat, Dolcetto, and Touriga Nacional. These varieties have not historically been a part of the South Okanagan viticulture, but thrive in the distinctive terroir of the Osoyoos East Bench and continue to deliver unique, world class interpretations of these wines.

Moon Curser was recognized as #1 Best Performing Small Winery at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. 

The Moon Curser team is proud to make delicious wines, provide excellent wine tasting experiences, and also create a professional, flexible and welcoming work environment for employees. They are fortunate to have a long-term team of staff who have been working at Moon Curser for 8 or more years on average.

Planning a trip? You can reserve a Wine Tasting or Private Winemaker Tour & Tasting for your next visit.

Tasting room and vineyards overlooking Osoyoos Lake

Enter to Win a Wine Tasting for 4

Want to taste some of these rare Okanagan grape varietals for yourself? Moon Curser has generously donated 3 prizes of a Wine Tasting Experience for up to 4 people, including a 10% discount on wine purchases made in the tasting room.

Thompson Okanagan tourism and hospitality professionals in the Thompson Okanagan (View Eligibility Details) can enter to win by Friday, July 14, 11:59 PM through the form below.

Thompson Okanagan Communities Receive Over $5.5 million in Funding from PacifiCan to Revitalize Public Spaces and Enhance Tourism Experiences

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $5.5 million in PacifiCan funding for 17 projects in the Thompson Okanagan through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and the Tourism Relief Fund.

TOTA received funding to conduct sustainability assessments for tourism businesses to help them implement sustainable and environmentally responsible operational practices. More details will be shared shortly. 

Upgrading existing infrastructure and building new public assets will mean British Columbians will have better access to recreational programs and facilities; these projects will grow economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve community wellness.

The funding announcement builds on the recent openings of PacifiCan offices in Kelowna and Cranbrook that will help support local economic development for British Columbians in the Southern Interior.

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Thompson Okanagan Projects

Communities benefiting from funding include Kelowna, Penticton, Peachland, Vernon, Summerland, Keremeos, and Osoyoos.

Canada Community Revitalization Fund

City of Kelowna
$750,000
Funding will go towards adding accessibility features to Pandosy Waterfront Park in Kelowna, including a floating dock, pedestrian lighting, wayfinding signage, and mobile infrastructure.

City of Penticton
$750,000
Funding will go towards building a new lake-to-lake bike route between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. The safe and dedicated cycling route and pedestrian sidewalk will allow easy public access across the city.

$200,000
Funding will go towards the construction of two accessible community washrooms at Penticton’s Kiwanis Park Safety Village and Riverside Park.

City of Vernon
$639,000
Funding will be used for the continued development of Civic Memorial Park. Project activities include upgrading an existing building to improve energy efficiency and the creation of accessible public washrooms and a community meeting space.

City of West Kelowna
$416,250
Funding will go towards revitalizing four community parks in West Kelowna: Beechnut, Pritchard, Paula and Shetler Park. Upgrades include landscape and parking enhancements, and the installation of new playground equipment, volleyball courts and picnic areas.

District of Peachland
$53,188
Funding will be used to expand and improve the accessibility of multi-use pathways that link Heritage Park to downtown Peachland. Project activities include installing new streetlights, expanding the parking lot, and adding safe trail connections and crosswalks.

O’Keefe Ranch and interior Heritage Society
$94,915
Funding will help create ten glamping accommodation units at the O’Keefe Ranch Historic Site in Vernon. The project will leverage green technology and improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Osoyoos Museum Society
$310,530
Funding will go towards redeveloping the lower level of the Osoyoos Museum to include cultural artifact displays and multi-purpose work rooms to host community gatherings and events.

Tourism Relief Fund

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
$500,000
Funding will go towards conducting sustainability assessments for rural tourism businesses in British Columbia to help them adopt and implement sustainable and environmentally responsible operational practices.

Argus Properties Ltd.
$99,999
Funding will help build a floating platform and ramp extension for Hotel Eldorado’s marina dock on Okanagan Lake. Improvements will expand existing floatplane services, bringing visitors from Vancouver to Kelowna.

British Columbia Snowmobile Federation
$500,000
Funding will go towards creating a recreational snowmobile trail program, which will support snowmobile clubs in the province and enhance tourism offerings.

Carpe Diem Tours Ltd.
$85,000
Funding will go towards purchasing a new vehicle and facilitate further development of winery tours targeted to francophone and other visitors to the Okanagan.

Elevation Outdoors Experiential Programs Association
$219,600
Funding will go towards expanding operations at Kelowna Bike Rentals, including the purchase of 92 new bikes including adaptive e-bikes, mountain and city bikes, and cycling accessories.

ERTCU Travel Group Ltd
$99,999
Funding will help develop and market a series of new RV tours across rural British Columbia, targeting the international market. 

Renedian Adventures Ltd.
$99,999
Funding will go towards purchasing four motorcycles, a van and trailer and hiring additional staff to increase motorcycle tour services in Kelowna.

Vernon Winter Carnival Society
$125,000
Funding will go towards new activities that expand the Vernon Winter Carnival, a 10-day winter festival featuring over 100 local events.

Wine Country Studios
$56,960
Funding will go towards expanding and promoting unique Metis art workshops and classes to tourists visiting West Kelowna.

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For the full list of projects, please see the press release and backgrounder.

Visit South Okanagan: New Tourism Initiative

Visit South Okanagan is a newly-launched tourism initiative comprised of the tourism associations of the following communities: Peachland, Summerland, Naramata, Penticton, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, and Osoyoos. This initiative offers information and resources for British Columbians to plan their next vacation.

Acting as the central hub, VisitSouthOkanagan.com offers detailed information about each community, in addition to trip planning resources — including how to access the region by land or air — plus, regional wine maps and blog posts outlining activities and points of interest throughout the region.

The Visit South Okanagan initiative is brought to you by the South Okanagan Tourism Alliance with support from the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, Heart of Wine Country (Okanagan Falls Winery Association), Naramata Bench Winery Association, and Bottleneck Drive (Summerland Winery Association). 

Find trip planning inspiration at VisitSouthOkanagan.com or on social media:
Facebook.com/VisitSouthOkanaganBC
Instagram.com/VisitSouthOkanagan

About the South Okanagan

An all-season destination, the South Okanagan is renowned for the warmest weather conditions in all of Canada. Its autumns are perfectly temperate, while winters are uncommonly mild and dry. A wide array of accommodation options — from resorts, to affordable family-friendly motels and B&Bs, to scenic private and provincial parks and campgrounds — means that visitors will have no trouble finding the perfect sanctuary to rest their heads at the end of each fun-filled day. 

From escaping into the great outdoors for an unforgettable hiking, cycling, or paddling adventure, tasting wines in the very vineyards where they were made, exploring historic downtown districts, or marvelling at postcard-perfect mountains and lakes as thousands of trees burst into fall colour, the South Okanagan offers something for visitors of all ages.