TOTA Wins Prestigious International Marketing Award

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been named the Tourism Laureate and winner of the International Place Marketing Award at the Place Marketing Forum in Lille, France for its leadership work in Sustainable Responsible Tourism.

The awards “recognize the most emblematic achievements of place marketing worldwide” and projects are selected based on the following criteria:

• Innovation or idea bringing a major improvement in one or more areas

• Remarkable Results with unquestionable qualitative and quantitative results

• Emblematic Projects practice or realization that is emblematic of current trends and new practices in place marketing

The Forum is an annual 2-day event organized by the New Place Marketing and Attractiveness Chair (A&NMT) of the Public Management Institute (Aix-Marseille University) that brings together international leaders, elected officials, and decision-makers to exchange best practices in destination marketing around the globe.

As part of winning this award, TOTA CEO and President, Glenn Mandziuk, was recognized as a Laureate by the University and presented on the collective efforts of the Thompson Okanagan region to the over 500 in attendance. “Our team is so honoured to be recognized for our collective work in sustainable destination marketing and to have this opportunity to share the exciting initiatives underway in our region with the world”, says Mandziuk. “This would not be possible without the strong collaboration of our industry stakeholders, community Destination Marketing Organizations, corporate partners, Destination BC and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, whom we are so grateful for their support and innovative activities.”

TOTA is committed to creating a strong and healthy tourism economy while minimizing the impact on our natural and cultural resources by promoting sustainable business practices and responsible travel. The Association is guided by “Embracing Our Potential,” a 10-year Regional Tourism Strategy, working to strengthen seasonality, territorial cohesion, preservation of the environment, and enhancing local culture.

In the tourism category, TOTA was able to receive the award over some incredible international organizations and projects including:

• Amsterdam Marketing, City of Amsterdam – Netherlands

• America’s Musical Journey, Brand USA – United States

• Comptoir des Loisirs d’Evreux – France

• Culture Captcha – Kenya Tourism Board – Kenya

• Made in Pic Saint Loup Association – France

• Bisca Grands Iacs Tourist Office – France

• Route of Industrial Culture, Ruhr Region – Germany

• Biot Glass Factory – France

• Visit Victoria – Australia

• Wonderful Copenhagen – Denmark

TOTA Receives Second Major International Award This Year For Leadership In Sustainable Tourism

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 24, 2018

Montego Bay, JAMAICA

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been awarded North America’s Responsible Tourism Award 2018 at the 25th Annual World Travel Awards. The Awards Gala, which was hosted in Montego Bay this past weekend, is highly regarded as one of the most important hospitality events of the year, with government officials, industry leaders, and international media in attendance.

Frank Antoine (TOTA Chair) and Glenn Mandziuk (TOTA President & CEO) with the award for North America’s Responsible Tourism 2018

The World Travel Awards is a renowned global initiative, founded in 1993, that celebrates distinction and recognizes collective success in the travel and tourism industry. Throughout the past 26 years, the coveted Awards have grown to set the benchmark for excellence across the globe.

This recognition comes on the heels of another international accolade, with TOTA taking home the Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Award at the World Tourism and Travel Council’s Global Summit in Argentina earlier this year.

“We are so very honoured to be receiving this international award for the work we are doing in this important area of tourism management”, said Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of TOTA. “This recognition does not come without a great deal of effort and collaboration from industry, communities and partners who have come together with a common belief in the critical nature of protecting our economic, environmental, cultural and social systems for future generations”.

TOTA’s commitment to sustainability was established in 2012, when the region’s 10-Year Regional Tourism Strategy, “Embracing Our Potential,” was completed. The strategy, the first of its kind in North America, was officially endorsed by the 90 communities and hamlets, and 33 Indigenous communities in the region, and has provided the roadmap for tourism development since then.

In 2017, the Thompson Okanagan Region was officially certified as the first destination in the Americas to have successfully achieved the Biosphere Sustainable Tourism Destination accreditation from the Responsible Tourism Institute, an international accreditation body that is affiliated to the World Tourism Organization and is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

TOTA has also been nominated for the prestigious World’s Responsible Tourism Award 2018, which will be awarded in Portugal on December 1, 2018. Voting is now open and can be found on the World Travel Awards website.