News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Scholarships from the BC Hospitality Foundation
The BC Hospitality Foundation has several scholarships available for individuals in the hospitality industry throughout BC, including:
Industry Scholarship for children of hospitality workers
Wine Professional Scholarship for hospitality workers to increase their wine knowledge through further education
Culinary Scholarship
BC Wine Industry Scholarship and Education (WISE)
Food, Beverage and Hospitality Scholarship
Hospitality Indigenous Scholarship for an indigenous hospitality worker to increase their knowledge through further education.
Hospitality LGBT2Q+ Scholarship for a LGBT2Q+ hospitality worker to increase their knowledge through further education.
Nancy More Award Scholarship for student who self-identifies as female or is a member of an underrepresented community pursuing a career in brewing.
And more…
Deadlines and application criteria vary.
The BC Hospitality Foundation has several scholarships available for individuals in the hospitality industry throughout BC, including:
Industry Scholarship for children of hospitality workers
Wine Professional Scholarship for hospitality workers to increase their wine knowledge through further education
Culinary Scholarship
BC Wine Industry Scholarship and Education (WISE)
Food, Beverage and Hospitality Scholarship
Hospitality Indigenous Scholarship for an indigenous hospitality worker to increase their knowledge through further education.
Hospitality LGBT2Q+ Scholarship for a LGBT2Q+ hospitality worker to increase their knowledge through further education.
Nancy More Award Scholarship for student who self-identifies as female or is a member of an underrepresented community pursuing a career in brewing.
And more…
Deadlines and application criteria vary.
TIABC Training & Recruitment Opportunity: Send a Letter of Support
TIABC, in partnership with Western Community College and Progressive Intercultural Community Services, is working to submit a proposal to operate a Community Workforce Response Grant program (CWRG) specifically focused on creating a pool of talent for the tourism sector. Training will focus on skills required by tourism operators, along with specific certificates needed for specific roles.
TIABC is requesting letters of support from interested members that can offer a supervised work experience placement opportunity and an opportunity to interview for any upcoming positions that operators may be hiring for. Members who provide letters of support will have the first opportunity to hire the graduates of CWRG.
Send your letter of support or any questions to info@tiabc.ca.
TIABC, in partnership with Western Community College and Progressive Intercultural Community Services, is working to submit a proposal to operate a Community Workforce Response Grant program (CWRG) specifically focused on creating a pool of talent for the tourism sector. Training will focus on skills required by tourism operators, along with specific certificates needed for specific roles.
TIABC is requesting letters of support from interested members that can offer a supervised work experience placement opportunity and an opportunity to interview for any upcoming positions that operators may be hiring for. Members who provide letters of support will have the first opportunity to hire the graduates of CWRG.
Send your letter of support or any questions to info@tiabc.ca.
Worn or Damaged Highway Signs
Many highway signs throughout the province are either old, worn, dirty, out-of-date, or heavily damaged by weather and other factors. Poorly maintained signs don't serve us well as a visitor destination.
TIABC and BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) are looking to provide the Province with recommendations on how to improve the province-wide service and attraction highway signage program.
During your travels throughout various regions, please take photos of any recent blue and white signs that are in disrepair and send them to info@TIABC.ca at your earliest convenience.
Many highway signs throughout the province are either old, worn, dirty, out-of-date, or heavily damaged by weather and other factors. Poorly maintained signs don't serve us well as a visitor destination.
TIABC and BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) are looking to provide the Province with recommendations on how to improve the province-wide service and attraction highway signage program.
During your travels throughout various regions, please take photos of any recent blue and white signs that are in disrepair and send them to info@TIABC.ca at your earliest convenience.
BC Tourism & Hospitality Award Finalists Announced
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) announced the finalists of the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards! The awards recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism & hospitality industry, showcasing the province’s most exceptional leaders and positive change-makers.
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) announced the finalists of the 2022 BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards!
The awards recognize and celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism & hospitality industry, showcasing the province’s most exceptional leaders and positive change-makers.
Following the call for submissions, the organizing committee received hundreds of nominations, highlighting the wealth of exceptional talent within our industry.
Congratulations to all the finalists! The Thompson Okanagan individuals recognized for their outstanding contribution to British Columbia's tourism and hospitality community are:
Accessibility Award | Sponsored by Destination British Columbia
Mike Riediger | CEO, Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association
Julie Ratcliffe | Marketing & Events Manager, BC Wildlife Park Kamloops
Employees First Award | Sponsored by go2HR
Accent Inns & Hotel Zed | Employer
Indigenous Operator of the Year Award | Sponsored by Indigenous Tourism Canada
Adam Blair | General Manager, Quaaout Lodge & Talking Rock Resort
Innovation Award | Sponsored by City of Richmond
Kimberley Barnes | Marketing Director, Wine Growers British Columbia
Professional Excellence (DMO) Award | Sponsored by Destination Think!
Thom Tischik | Executive Director, Travel Penticton
Community Contribution & Impact Award
British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network
The winners will be awarded at the Awards Gala evening on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the Richmond Conference Centre, as part of the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference. There’s still time to purchase a ticket to the celebratory evening!