News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Thompson Nicola Entrepreneurs Awarded Grants and Mentorships to Help Spark New Tourism Ideas
Three finalists who made winning pitches for the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.
KELOWNA, B.C. – Three finalists who made winning pitches for the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.
The Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program is presented by Destination British Columbia in collaboration with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Tourism Valemount, Tourism Kamloops, Tourism Sun Peaks, Explore Gold Country, Tourism Wells Gray, and the Tourism Innovation Lab.
The program’s goal is to find, foster, and support new tourism ideas, experiences, and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the area.
Seven applications were received, with the top five being invited to present their new tourism ideas at the virtual Pitch Session held on December 1. Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the three winning applicants.
The Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program winners are:
Maveric Northcott - Wells Gray Outfitters
Matt Sych - Dunn Folkin' Around? Music Festival
Daphne Spencer - Nicola Valley Rodeo Association
In addition to seed funds, mentorship, and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the province.
For more information visit https://TourismInnovation.ca/ThompsonNicola.html
Quotes
Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC
“We are excited to be supporting local tourism entrepreneurs in the Thompson Nicola area by awarding “Spark” grants and mentorships that will create new tourism experiences and offerings. We look forward to seeing all the winners bring their creative and innovative initiatives to life as they strive to enhance the visitor experience and add value to local communities.”
Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
“The “Spark” program has provided an opportunity to learn about many exciting initiatives and ideas in the Thompson Nicola. We congratulate the winners and look forward to watching as their plans unfold and help to grow visitor experiences. We also encourage others to continue to follow their dreams and passions, and bring new experiences to the Thompson Okanagan region.”
Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab
“We congratulate the three winners of the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program, and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting tourism offerings in the region.”
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Media Contacts
TOTA Communications
Chelsea Travere, Communications Specialist, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
Email: News@TOTABC.com
Destination BC Media Relations
Email: Media.Relations@DestinationBC.ca
Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab
Email: Info@TourismInnovation.ca
Social Media
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
LinkedIn: @TOTABCNews
Facebook: @TOTABCNews
Twitter: @TOTABCNews
Destination BC
Twitter: @DestinationBC
LinkedIn: @DestinationBritishColumbia
Tourism Innovation Lab
Facebook: @TourismInnovationCanada
Instagram: @TourismInnovationCanada
Twitter: @TourInnovation
About 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 of the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. TOTA is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia and the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport.
TOTA 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.
Learn more at www.TOTABC.org.
About Destination BC:
Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. Destination BC’s programs help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities across the province, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice.
For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: www.DestinationBC.ca.
About the Tourism Innovation Lab
The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs. Launched in Ontario in 2018, the Lab and its "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program are expanding to new regions across Canada. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and has a BC home base in Squamish.
Learn more at www.TourismInnovation.ca.
National Geographic Features Thompson Okanagan as "British Columbia’s Best Road Trip"
Destination Canada and National Geographic partnered with two British Columbia locals to share an epic road trip through the Thompson Okanagan region. According to the National Geographic article, "British Columbia’s Best Road Trip" starts from Vancouver with a drive through the Similkameen Valley to Osoyoos, then follows Route 97 through Oliver, Penticton, Naramata, Kelowna, Kamloops, Clearwater, and Valemount, then back to Vancouver.
Screenshot of National Geographic article “British Columbia’s best road trip: Winding through wine country”
Destination Canada and National Geographic partnered with two British Columbia locals to share an epic road trip through the Thompson Okanagan region. According to the National Geographic article, "British Columbia’s Best Road Trip" starts from Vancouver with a drive through the Similkameen Valley to Osoyoos, then follows Route 97 through Oliver, Penticton, Naramata, Kelowna, Kamloops, Clearwater, and Valemount, then back to Vancouver.
The article offers ample inspiration to entice people to plan a trip in the form of helpful recommendations, stunning photos, and mesmerizing videos. The producers have included everything needed to plan a road trip, with recommendations for places to stay, eat, and experience.
Featured activities include:
Picnic or hike in the Similkameen Valley’s E.C. Manning Provincial Park
Celebrate Indigenous culture in Osoyoos
Taste local produce in Oliver
Hike or bike in Penticton’s Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park and Naramata
Hike or bike the Kettle Valley Rail Trail to the Myra Canyon Trestles from Kelowna
Go apple picking and wine tasting in Kamloops
Hike to a waterfall or go rafting in Wells Gray Provincial Park from Clearwater
Helicopter tour of Mount Robson Provincial Park and the highest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains near Valemount