News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Route 97 Road Trip Map Advertising Opportunities Now Available
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Advertising opportunities are now available for interested stakeholders.
Due to overwhelming demand, a Route 97 Road Trip Map will be published and distributed across BC and WA in 2020.
Where Will the Map Be Distributed?
50,000 Copies will be distributed throughout Visitor Centres in British Columbia (40,000 copies) and Washington State (10,000 copies from Wenatchee to the Oroville Border)
5,000 Copies will be available at the Quartzsite RV Show, the largest RV show in North America with over 750,000 attendees
What’s Included in the Advertising Package?
5 Price Tiers available from map listings to title sponsorship
Creation of advertising assets to ensure consistency and accessibility of map design
Website listing on matching corridor page on route97.net
For more information or to secure your spot, please contact Ingrid Dilschneider, Director of Marketing, at route97@totabc.com
TOTA Enters Into New Technology Partnership with Bell Media
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 17, 2019
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has entered into a unique digital technology partnership with ‘Canada’s leading content creation company,’ Bell Media.
Bell Media Mobile launched a Route 97 Digital Mobile Campaign on September 15, utilizing proprietary mobile technology in layered targeting strategies.
This competitive advantage allows Bell Media to employ historical geo-targeting to remarket in conjunction with device origin and live location data for effective and relevant results. Additionally, detailed insights provided by advanced reporting will measure offline attribution, tracking conversions and allowing TOTA to measure campaign effectiveness.
Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of TOTA, speaks to the power of technology in tourism. “I am thrilled to be partnering with Bell Media on this initiative. I’m looking forward to utilizing new technology and hyper-focused targeting to determine ROI on destination marketing.”
Brock Raddatz, Account Manager, shares the sentiment. “Bell Media is excited to provide our mobile advertising services to the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. Our advanced mobile marketing technology will allow TOTA to target key geographic locations and consumers who fit their specific target profiles. We look forward to helping promote all of the incredible tourism experiences our region has to offer.”
For more information, please contact Ingrid Dilschneider, Director of Marketing.
About Route 97
Route 97 is a partnership between the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and endeavours to advance tourism in both regions by inspiring travel along this paramount Canada-United States corridor. The cross-border tourism partnership pivots around road trips that can be taken throughout the area, with suggested loops and corridors that connect communities on and off the highway.
About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. Find TOTA on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, visit totabc.org.
TOTA Signs 3-Year Partnership Deal with National Geographic Traveller for Route 97 Publication
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 4, 2019
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has secured a three-year agreement with National Geographic Traveller Magazine (UK) to produce and publish its Route 97 guide.
The partnership is the first of its kind in North America and will see TOTA’s Route 97 Road Trip and Map Guide Initiative evolve into National Geographic Traveller Discover Route 97. The magazine will be written and photographed entirely by National Geographic Traveller’s editorial team with the first edition set to hit stands in May 2020.
TOTA President and CEO, Glenn Mandziuk, couldn’t be more thrilled with the opportunity. “It is such a privilege to work with such a well-regarded, leading global brand on this initiative and I’m excited to put both Route 97 and the Thompson Okanagan on the map for international audiences.”
National Geographic Traveller Magazine will produce 100,000 copies of the Discover Route 97 publication with 50,000 to be distributed throughout the United Kingdom, and 50,000 to be distributed through British Columbia and Washington. In addition to the physical edition, a hub will be created on www.nationalgeographic.co.uk to host articles and the Route 97 website will host a digital copy of the magazine as well.
“National Geographic Traveller UK is thrilled to be partnering with Route 97 for the next three years creating a destination guide for the region. As one of the most beautiful and iconic driving routes in the world our team are excited to work together with the Route 97 team to develop content that will inspire visitors to explore the opportunities on offer throughout the region,” commented Matthew Jackson, Publisher of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
A digital campaign will announce the launch of the magazine in the United Kingdom and National Geographic Magazine is set to feature a two-page spread on Route 97 in their February 2020 publication.
Advertorial participation is available to relevant businesses, communities, and organizations and any interested stakeholders should direct any interest or queries directly to Director of Marketing, Ingrid Dilschneider.
About Route 97
Route 97 is a partnership between the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and endeavours to advance tourism in both regions by inspiring travel along this paramount Canada-United States corridor. The cross-border tourism partnership pivots around road trips that can be taken throughout the area, with suggested loops and corridors that connect communities on and off the highway.
About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. Find TOTA on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, visit totabc.org.
About National Geographic
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com.