The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
The TRU Faculty Adventure Culinary Arts and Tourism team invites hotel owners, general managers, and supervisory staff in BC to a symposium on April 15. It is free to attend online and $40 with lunch to attend in person. Sessions include a panel with members representing members Thompson Okanagan businesses: Delta Hotel Kamloops, Sandman, Doubletree, Quality Inn Vernon; and a session by FortisBC's Vladimir Kostka, Major Commercial Key Account Manager for Education and Hospitality.
Read MoreTOTA and Spinal Cord Injury BC have partnered to share 22 Virtual Venue Tours of Thompson Okanagan accommodation and attractions. The virtual tours showcase priority accessible features to help people easily plan a visit based on their specific requirements.
View tours: https://ThompsonOkanagan.com/virtual-tours
Read MoreThe Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is launching a sustainable tourism training program to build awareness and capacity for tourism to develop more sustainably. The program is complementary and is available to all Canadian tourism businesses, not only TIAC members.
The program includes specialized workshops, one-on-one coaching, and certification support around several topics, provided by industry experts.
Read MoreTravel Penticton has become a member of the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program, joining over 80 other organizations in working towards sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
Read on to learn about Travel Penticton’s role as a destination marketing organization, including their current sustainability initiatives and motivation for joining Biosphere.
Read MoreLittle Straw Vineyards is the newest member of the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program. Read on for information about Little Straw, including their rich history, new ownership, and motivation for joining Biosphere.
Read MoreOriginally published in InnFocus Magazine Summer 2022.
While recycling, saving water, and reducing electricity are among the many important steps toward being sustainable, are you aware of the impact food waste has on the climate crisis? Ben Liegey is on a mission to expand our collective understanding of food waste prevention and help hospitality operators improve their bottom line in the process. (Author: Kelsey Millman)
Read MoreThe BiosphereSustainable.com website is now available, which allows people to learn about the good practices and sustainable efforts of companies and destinations around the world, showing how they contribute to the fulfilment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Visit BiosphereSustainable.com Website →
View Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Company Listings →
Read MoreThe Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses, and communities. BC residents, businesses, and municipalities can receive rebates for EV charging stations through the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and Fleets programs.
Read MoreP.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement.) Awards is the UK’s leading sustainability and climate awards, honouring the individuals and teams behind the products, services, and businesses that are changing the face of our planet.
The P.E.A. Awards identifies and celebrates the green heroes who are taking matters into their own hands and providing inspiring alternatives to business as usual. These sustainability pioneers are recognised and rewarded at a glamorous green carpet event. Winners will receive a high-profile editorial in My Green Pod magazine distributed online to over 7 million people.
It is free to nominate yourself, a colleague, a team, a product, or a business in multiple categories. Nominations close August 31, 2022.
Learn More & Submit Nomination →
Read MoreThe World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the Awake Tourism Challenge, a competition and program to find and support innovative startups working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Deadline to submit your application: October 15, 2022
Read MoreThe Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses, and communities: BC residents, businesses, and municipalities can receive rebates for EV charging stations through the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and Fleets programs.
For a limited time, funding will cover as much as 75% of eligible purchase and installation costs for EV charging stations.
Businesses can apply for a rebate of up to $5,000 per station, as well as 5 hours of free support services from an EV Charging Station Advisor.
Fleet operators can get combined rebates from NRCan and the Province for a Level 2 charging station as much as $5,000 of purchase and installation costs, and $75,000 for a direct-current, fast-charging station.
Read MoreTasting the Okanagan Through the Ages is an event created through the South Okanagan Food & Drink Experience Development Program which occurred between September 2021 - January 2022 in partnership with TOTA, Destination BC, and the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
Join Chef Aman Dosanj of the Paisley Notebook pop-up series for an immersive dining experience on Covert Farm's 650-acre, fourth-generation farm. The event will guide guests through a multi-course food and wine paired sensory journey of our bountiful region.
Read MoreLast week, several TOTA team members attended the annual IMPACT Sustainable Tourism Conference in Victoria. The spirit of this internationally informed, Canadian-focused event is to educate, unite, commit, and take action towards the development of tourism as a financial and social force for good.
Over the course of 2.5 days and more than 20 sessions, the conference presented the sustainability challenges faced by the tourism industry worldwide. Inspiring examples were shared of companies working towards regenerative tourism, and they called on tourism professionals to commit to meaningful action.
We have summarized some key highlights…
Read MoreThe Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is taking part in the upcoming virtual Green Wine Future Conference from May 23 to May 26.
Registration for one day of the conference is $47 USD. Through TOTA’s partnership, Thompson Okanagan stakeholders get a 55% discount by using the code TOTA55.
Read MoreEnergy is used every day to modulate temperature, light indoor and outdoor environments, heat water, and run appliances.
According to Natural Resource Canada more than 60% of the total energy consumption in a building is utilized for space heating.
The following energy efficiency tips can help in reducing your business’ energy consumption and will bring added benefits of cost saving and reducing your carbon footprint:
Regularly maintain and replace worn caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors to seal gaps and cracks.
Install programmable thermostat to turn down the heat to about 17 degree Celsius after business hours and in unoccupied or less frequently used areas.
Upgrade to LED lighting to enhance your indoor atmosphere and save energy costs.
Replace standard incandescent bulbs with Energy Star rated LED bulbs and T12 fluorescent lamps and high performance T8 or LED lighting.
Have appliances serviced regularly to keep them operating safely and efficiently.
Schedule a Complimentary Energy Assessment →
Read MoreAs a Gold Certified Biosphere Destination, we encourage and challenge tourism professionals to hop on the sustainability path this Easter for a more eco-friendly holiday weekend.
Traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts produce unnecessary waste and there are sustainable alternatives.
TOTA has compiled the following tips to make Easter celebrations more eco-friendly
Read MoreCongratulations to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Kootenay Rockies tourism regions on earning the internationally recognized Biosphere Certified Destination Designation from the Responsible Tourism Institute.
Biosphere Destinations are committed to continuous improvement guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which include combating climate change, protecting the environment, supporting decent work and economic growth, and respecting cultural and social values.
Read MoreHeliCat Canada and its member organizations have taken proactive steps towards sustainability, continually pushing innovation in efficient and renewable energy use wherever possible. Understanding the realities of Heli and Cat-ski operations, carbon offsets are an essential tool for HeliCat members and guests to compensate for emissions that currently cannot be eliminate through other means. The purpose of the HeliCat Canada carbon offset strategy is to provide a simple, industry-specific manual that guides the Canadian HeliCat industry, member operations and guests to effectively navigate the carbon offset world, use carbon offsets to achieve net zero GHG emissions, and achieve other sustainable targets.
Read MoreSt. Patrick’s Day is annual celebration of Irish culture on March 17, featuring green outfits, decorations, beer, and food. Like other holidays, celebrations may result in consumerism and unnecessary waste.
As a Biosphere Destination, we encourage and challenge tourism professionals to make St. Patrick’s Day more eco-friendly and greener this year, and every year.
TOTA has compiled tips to make St. Patrick’s Day even greener with a few eco-friendly activities or actions.
Read MoreB.C. has launched a new three-year roadmap for rebuilding and revitalizing tourism, creating jobs and opportunities for people and communities in every part of the province.
The renewed Strategic Framework for Tourism responds to the call to action from the sector to support its recovery from COVID-19. It outlines a roadmap for a more resilient tourism sector by rebuilding to 2019 levels by 2024.
Read More
