News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
25 Free Virtual Energy Assessments Available to Thompson Okanagan Tourism Businesses
TOTA is offering 25 Virtual Energy Assessments to tourism and/or hospitality businesses within the Thompson Okanagan region at no cost. The process is simple, streamlined, and designed to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
TOTA is offering 25 Energy Assessments to tourism and/or hospitality businesses within the Thompson Okanagan region at no cost.
What are the benefits?
Opportunities to reduce your electricity, gas and other energy bills
Access FortisBC and BC Hydro rebates for upgrading your lighting, HVAC and other equipment
Special access to some FortisBC programs exclusively available only through our FortisBC funded Energy Analyst
Understand and improve operational efficiencies of your business
Optimizing energy efficiency is an opportunity to reduce your organization's carbon footprint
The energy assessment process is simple and streamlined:
Book your 10 minute onboarding call with TOTA's Energy Analyst.
Your company will provide utility bills (if required) + a list of your lighting, HVAC and other equipment.
TOTA will analyze your lighting, equipment, and utility bill data to understand your energy usage and provide a report summarizing energy and cost-saving opportunities, plus implementation support if required.
We can also assist you with completing FortisBC and BC Hydro rebate applications.
PST Rebate for Capital Investments Opens to Support Business Recovery
Businesses can grow back bigger and stronger following the pandemic, with up to half-billion dollars in expected rebates available for purchases or leases of select machinery and equipment, including tools, furniture, computers, software and zero-emission vehicles.
(From B.C. Gov News:) Businesses can grow back bigger and stronger following the pandemic, with up to half-billion dollars in expected rebates available for purchases or leases of select machinery and equipment, including tools, furniture, computers, software and zero-emission vehicles.
“This measure is a direct response to what we heard when we consulted with the business community. By providing a rebate on tools and equipment that help businesses grow, we are encouraging investments and helping to reduce the cost of growth for businesses in every sector,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “This provincial sales tax (PST) rebate will make it easier for businesses to make the investments that will allow them to grow or adapt and seize the opportunities of a post COVID-19 economy.”
The rebate, announced in September 2020 as part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, allows incorporated businesses to recover 100% of the PST on most machinery and equipment purchased between Sept. 17, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021.
“Having a 100% PST rebate is a good incentive to make the kind of capital investments that will not just support our members, but help the economy respond, recover and prosper,” said Andrew Wynn-Williams, vice-president, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. “These rebates will support both the short-term need for relief and the long-term goal of economic growth.”
Online applications are open. The first window is open until Sept. 20, 2021, followed by a second window after the eligible rebate period (Oct. 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022). Rebate eligibility is based on the Canada Revenue Agency’s Capital Cost Allowance classes.
The rebate is one of the government-provided investments helping businesses recover and respond to the unprecedented economic impact of the pandemic. Other supports include the Small-to-Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant, an incentive for businesses that hired more employees, grants to launch or upgrade online stores and other tax relief provided in 2020.
Quick Facts:
This funding is part of B.C.’s $10-billion COVID-19 response.
The projected cost for this PST rebate is $470 million.
An estimated 110,000 incorporated B.C. businesses are eligible for the rebate.
The PST savings on a new zero-emission vehicle can be more than $3,000.
Learn More:
To apply for the PST rebate on select machinery and equipment, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes/pst/rebate-machinery-equipment
For more detail about the Canada Revenue Agency’s Capital Cost Allowance classes, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes/pst/rebate-machinery-equipment/technical-backgrounder
Read StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/supporting-bc-businesses
TOTA Fast Facts
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association presents Fast Facts, a biweekly research roundup to provide an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing through the stages of recovery.
Tourism Research Summary
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is pleased to once again bring you Friday Fast Facts providing an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing as we continue moving through the stages of recovery.
We will continue to gain and share business intelligence and insights which come directly from tourism stakeholders in our region via telephone and online surveys; data from our partnership with Environics Analytics received and analyzed weekly, and additional research has been sourced through the UN World Tourism Organization, Destination Canada, Destination BC, British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat, BC Hotel Association, go2HR, Community DMO Partners, and others.
Now more than ever we understand the importance of providing timely data that will assist you in making informed decisions, understanding how industry and consumers are responding, both in the Thompson Okanagan and the province as a whole, and that will assist you in making adjustments to how you do business.
Watch for Friday Fast Fact bi-weekly and for more information please visit Research Roundup on TOTA News Centre.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is proudly supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.
- TOTA Research
Biweekly Fast Facts
TOTA Virtual Job Fair & Open House | April 22
TOTA is hosting a virtual Job Fair & Open House on April 22 to introduce participants of the Tourism Skills Training Program to potential employers and industry connections. Registration closes April 16.
Date:
Thursday, April 22, 2021 | 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Location:
Zoom Meeting & Breakout Rooms
Industry Registration Deadline:
Friday, April 16, 2021
TOTA is hosting a virtual Job Fair & Open House on April 22 to introduce participants of the Tourism Skills Training Program to potential employers and industry connections. Other tourism professionals are invited to attend.
Thompson Okanagan tourism companies are invited to meet with potential employees and industry connections at a virtual "booth." Companies have the option to attend for the morning only (8:30 AM - 12 PM) or full day (8:30 AM - 4 PM).
Tourism Skills Training Participants can pre-schedule one-on-one meetings with companies in the morning. The afternoon will be unscheduled networking, with attendees visiting the virtual booths to learn about each company.
Links to your job postings will be listed on the TOTA News Centre.
Industry Tech Support
TOTA will host an Industry Tech Support Session on Monday, April 19 at 1 PM to 2:30 PM. We will explain the virtual booth format, provide Zoom setup instructions, and provide 1-1 assistance with the Zoom video chat software as needed.
Space is limited. Registration closes April 16.
Background: Tourism Skills Training Program
The Tourism Skills Training Program supports displaced tourism employees and professionals transitioning to a career in the tourism industry. The curriculum prepares participants to work in various tourism and hospitality positions in the Thompson Okanagan region with a focus on serving domestic markets in 2021, ultimately increasing the labour pool for tourism companies.
Industry support is essential to help these up and coming tourism professionals achieve success as they journey down the path of their career.
The program is delivered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) in cooperation with the University of Victoria-Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and supported by the Province of British Columbia.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact the TOTA Training Centre team with any questions:
Barbara Bonnough
Program Manager
(778) 752-5877 | Training@TOTABC.com
Kavan Kumar
Event & Industry Relations Specialist
Kavan@TOTABC.com
TOTA's Energy Analyst One Of 13 Energy Champions Across Canada
We are very proud to announce that Thivya Viswanathan, TOTA's Eco Efficiency Analyst was just named one of 13 #EnergyChampions from across the country by Efficiency Canada, celebrating a meaningful career in helping Canada meet its climate goals and improving our everyday lives. Through the feature, Thivya shares her story, background, and passion for creating a greener, more eco-friendly future.
We are very proud to announce that Thivya Viswanathan, TOTA's Energy Analyst, was named one of thirteen #EnergyChampions from across the country by Efficiency Canada. Through the feature, Thivya shares her story, background, and passion for creating a greener, more resilient, eco-friendly future.
In her role with TOTA, Thivya works closely with tourism and hospitality businesses to help owners and facility managers understand their energy consumption patterns and identify opportunities for improved efficiencies and cost savings. She also offers virtual assessments of a business’s equipment and shares details about energy efficiency rebates.
“ Understanding where energy is consumed, and where efficiencies can be found, help us better understand our own emissions and our own energy costs. Through my position as Energy Analyst, I help businesses in the region reduce both their emissions and their operating costs.”
— Thivya Viswanathan
Energy Champions from across the country are showing Canadians that the energy efficiency sector is already powering a resilient, just, and clean recovery. Our sector is dynamic, diverse, and purpose-driven, and these Canadians have found meaningful careers that not only help us meet our climate goals, but also make the spaces we live, work, and play more durable, comfortable, and affordable.
- Corey Diamond, Executive Director, Efficiency Canada
About Thivya
Thivya Viswanathan always wanted to work towards creating a greener, more energy-friendly future. In her position as an Energy Analyst with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, she gets to do just that. The organization works with approximately 4,000 tourism-related businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region, from bed and breakfasts to wineries, keeping Thivya quite busy.
Biosphere Commitment Monthly Newsletter (March)
We are very excited to announce that we will launch the Biosphere Academy in April! The Biosphere Academy is a new online platform that integrate questionnaire, tutorial, sustainability hub together to help to streamline the onboarding and implementation process. Join us on April 21st, 10:00am - 11:00am on zoom.
This month, we are celebrating SDG 5, Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The UNWTO released an inclusive recovery guide for women in tourism on March 8th, International Women’s day, data confirming that 54% of the tourism industry is represented by women — “Tourism is a proven driver of equality and opportunity”.
Kamloops really shined this month with their efforts towards sustainability. Congratulation to Tourism Kamloops for wining the Marketing Innovation Award for their Luv’n the Loops Passport. We are pleased to announce the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award winner BC Wildlife Park! Read the news below to learn how they adopted the Eco-Efficiency Assessment recommendation to reduced their waste and energy consumption.
As spring awaken and our tourism businesses are busily preparing for the summer season, we summarized some sustainability resources to help you become more resilient. The city of Kelowna has entered the final refinement phase of updating its Official Community Plan (OCP), read the news below to see how sustainability is adopted to the plan. Last but not least, don't forget to review your COVID-19 Safety plan, go2HR is now offering the support to ensure your safety plan meets all the requirements.
Register Now | Biosphere Academy Launch Event
We are very excited to announce that we will launch the Biosphere Academy in April! This new online platform integrates the Biosphere questionnaire, tutorials, and sustainability resources in one place to help streamline the onboarding and implementation process. Join us on April 21st, 10:00am - 11:00am on Zoom.
This month, we are celebrating SDG 5, Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The UNWTO released an inclusive recovery guide for women in tourism on March 8th, International Women’s day, data confirming that 54% of the tourism industry is represented by women — “Tourism is a proven driver of equality and opportunity”.
Kamloops really shined this month with their efforts towards sustainability. Congratulation to Tourism Kamloops for wining the Marketing Innovation Award for their Luv’n the Loops Passport. We are pleased to announce the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award winner BC Wildlife Park! Read the news below to learn how they adopted the Eco-Efficiency Assessment recommendation to reduced their waste and energy consumption.
As spring awaken and our tourism businesses are busily preparing for the summer season, we summarized some sustainability resources to help you become more resilient. The city of Kelowna has entered the final refinement phase of updating its Official Community Plan (OCP), read the news below to see how sustainability is adopted to the plan. Last but not least, don't forget to review your COVID-19 Safety plan, go2HR is now offering the support to ensure your safety plan meets all the requirements.
News Highlights
A few Biosphere Updates from this month:
Digital Support Services Info Session
TOTA hosted a Digital Support Info Session with information about Digital Support Services, the Digital Marketing Expert Certification for tourism businesses through eLearningU, and TOTA's Expert Business Mentorship webinar series with Okanagan College. The recording is now available.
Many tourism business operators need support with these key digital marketing platforms. Our digital marketing expert will offer complimentary services to help you:
Make timely updates to your website, such as adding your COVID-19 Safety Plan
Claim your Google My Business listing
Set up your TripAdvisor listing and add it to Destination BC's consumer website (HelloBC.com)
Set up and publish to a social media account (Facebook or Instagram)
Get support to onboard onto an eCommerce platform with fees covered for one year (up to a certain amount)
The deadline to sign up is April 2 to access FREE 1-1 Digital Support Services for Thompson Okanagan tourism businesses through the Tourism Resiliency Network.
Watch the Info Session Recording
On March 25, TOTA hosted a Digital Support Info Session with information about Digital Support Services, the Digital Marketing Expert Certification for tourism businesses through eLearningU, and TOTA's Expert Business Mentorship webinar series with Okanagan College.
In case you missed it, you can watch the recording:
Other Tourism Resiliency Program Supports
We are here to help with the challenges your business is facing. As part of TOTA's Tourism Resiliency Program, you can access the following supports:
1-on-1 Support from a TOTA Tourism Resiliency Advisor or email questions to Recovery@TOTABC.com
Expert Business Mentorship by an Okanagan College business professor
Mental Health Support through the Canadian Mental Health Association
Micro Loans through Community Futures
Online Grant Program Expands to Support More Businesses
In response to a high number of applications, the B.C. government is investing an additional $30 million in the Launch Online Grant program. The Launch Online Grant program provides up to $7,500 to businesses to help build or expand an e-commerce site to reach more customers and to sustain and grow their business.
(From BC Gov News) - In response to a high number of applications, the B.C. government is investing an additional $30 million in the Launch Online Grant program.
The Launch Online Grant program provides up to $7,500 to businesses to help build or expand an e-commerce site to reach more customers and to sustain and grow their business.
An online presence is integral for businesses that want to adapt their operations to better reach customers in their community, throughout B.C. and beyond. These changes will help approximately 4,000 more businesses market their products and services online.
“Many small businesses have had to change the way they operate as more and more people shifted to online purchasing during the pandemic. Our government has been there to help these businesses adapt,” said Premier John Horgan. “By expanding eligibility to our successful launch online program, more B.C. small businesses from the hardest hit sectors will have access to the tools they need to boost their online presence, grow their e-commerce capacity and become more resilient as we build toward a brighter future.”
The new funding is in addition to the February 2021 announcement of $12 million to support 1,500 businesses to enhance or establish their online presence. Currently, over 3,500 businesses from around the province have applied, demonstrating the need for these supports.
Businesses in the hard-hit tourism sector, like tour operators or hotels, and businesses in the service industry, such as massage therapists, personal trainers or hair stylists, can now access the grants to build or improve their online booking systems.
As part of the eligibility enhancements, 30% of the grant funds will now be reserved for Black, Indigenous and people of colour-owned (BIPOC) businesses, as well as rural businesses. This is expanded from the original 25% of grant funds that were reserved for Indigenous and rural businesses.
“The Launch Online Grant program responds to the way the pandemic has changed the business world, and the strong demand shows we are filling an untapped need,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “In addition to expanding the program, we are reserving a portion of the funds for BIPOC businesses because our recovery must be inclusive, taking care to not leave people behind.”
As part of the program, successful applicants will work with local B.C. service providers to complete their online store. Through this model, the grant funding can be reinvested in B.C.-based marketing and technology companies to generate revenues for local companies and help secure and grow jobs.
“The pandemic has impacted so many people throughout B.C., it has also disproportionately impacted people and communities of colour,” said Nerissa Allen, president, Black Business Association of BC. “I am pleased to see funding set aside for the Black, Indigenous and people of colour business community. This change, combined with opening the grant program to service-based businesses, will give business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to access funds that will help revive their business.”
The Launch Online Grant program is part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. The plan focuses on a recovery that is innovative, sustainable and inclusive. It outlines the latest steps the Government of British Columbia is taking to help people, businesses and communities come out of COVID-19 stronger, without leaving people behind.
The program is administered by Alacrity Canada. Small and medium-sized businesses can apply online: www.launchonline.ca
Learn More:
For more information on the Launch Online Grant program, including the application process and eligibility, visit: www.launchonline.ca
For more information on StrongerBC, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/
For more information on Alacrity Canada, visit: https://www.alacritycanada.com/
A backgrounder follows.
Global Webinar |Tourism & Happiness: For a Brighter Future
Planet Happiness, a project of the Happiness Alliance bringing the Happiness Movement to the tourism sector, held an amazing all-star event for International Day of Happiness on March 20th, 2021.
Planet Happiness, a project of the Happiness Alliance bringing the Happiness Movement to the tourism sector, held an amazing all-star event for International Day of Happiness on March 20th, 2021.
You can catch the recording below, and see the full line-up of speakers.
If you are curious to learn more - the 2021 World Happiness Report, focusing on the effects of COVID-19 and how people all over the world have fared, is out now.
If you are a resident of the Thompson Okanagan region, you are invited to partake in the regional Happiness Index Survey, measuring happiness and well-being of Thompson Okanagan residents and communities.
Eco Efficiency Excellence Award Winner for 2020
BC Wildlife Park was selected as the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award Winner!
TOTA’s Biosphere Committed Entity, BC Wildlife Park had their Eco Efficiency assessment completed in the summer of 2020 and since then GreenStep Solutions and TOTA’s Energy Analyst, has seen their management team take the top recommendations and systematically tackle them to improve their performance!
BC Wildlife Park selected as the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award Winner
BC Wildlife Park had their Eco Efficiency Assessment completed in Summer 2020 and since then, their management team has taken the top recommendations and systematically tackled them to improve their sustainability performance.
Jorrit Koedooder - BC Wildlife Park
“The BC Wildlife Park connects people to BC’s wildlife and wild places in order to encourage a sustainable society within a healthy, natural environment. With this philosophy in mind, we pride ourselves on continuing to take ownership of the environmental impact that the Park has, by continuing to make immediate, positive changes that improve environmental stewardship and reduce our carbon footprint. Upon working with GreenStep Solutions and listening to their suggestions, we’ve implemented their recommendations alongside our existing plans to improve our environmental efficiency. The BC Wildlife Park is honoured to be at the forefront of environmental stewardship and the recipient of the 2020 Eco Efficiency Excellence Award. We look forward to continuing to make strides in reducing our carbon footprint by educating ourselves and implementing innovative ways to becoming more sustainable.”
- Jorrit Koedooder, Facilities Supervisor, BC Wildlife Park
New LED Lighting
Entrance to BC Wildlife Park
BC Wildlife Park
Eco Efficiency Excellency Details
Future and in progress initiatives include ensuring that the BC Wildlife Park is accessible to all of our patrons. This accessibility upgrade also includes completely renovating exterior washrooms for maximum environment efficiency, compete with LEF lighting, low flow toilets, waterless urinal, and hot water tanks.
Removed single use paper maps, eliminating more than 120,000 paper products from annual production and replaced them with 10 large permanent park maps, alongside a downloaded able map from our website for visitor convenience.
Further to the commitment of eliminating single use products, the BC Wildlife Park will no longer carry single use water bottles by fall of 2021. Instead 4 water refill stations throughout the park grounds will be installed.
Knowing that single use plastics are harmful to the environment, all of their to go cups, utensils, and containers are all corn based and biodegradable.
Given the results of BC Wildlife Park’s waste audit, improving source separation was a top priority identified in the Eco Efficiency Report. Shortly after presenting the findings, the BC Wildlife Park team purchased additional bins to create recycling stations, placing them at entrances and along the parks pathways.
The park is now set up for success, with the ability to source separate recycling from garbage, which will improve their diversion rate and reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
The second recommendation was to replace their older fluorescent lighting with LED fixtures and lamps. The BC Wildlife Park team has received quotes on these upgrades, while they also began replacing a portion of the fluorescent lighting on their own in recent months.
Lastly, GreenStep Solutions identified and discussed equipment which was operating inefficiently at the time of their visit (ice build up on condensers, AHU). Therefore, the BC Wildlife Park has since had contractors in to repair the equipment.
go2HR Offers COVID-19 Safety Plan Support as Tourism and Hospitality Businesses Prepare for Summer Season
As spring awakens across BC and our summer-based tourism and hospitality businesses are busily preparing for the new summer season, don’t forget to review your COVID-19 safety plan. The goal of your COVID-19 safety plan review is to ensure your written plan meets all current WorkSafeBC and Provincial Health Order requirements.
As spring awakens across BC and our summer-based tourism and hospitality businesses are busily preparing for the new summer season, don’t forget to review your COVID-19 safety plan. The goal of your COVID-19 safety plan review is to ensure your written plan meets all current WorkSafeBC and Provincial Health Order requirements.
Need help with your review?
go2HR’s COVID-19 safety plan review service helps tourism and hospitality businesses with their review. Our health and safety experts will review your safety plan and provide recommendations and targeted feedback to help ensure your written plan meets current requirements.
You can register for this complimentary service on the go2HR website.
What if I don’t have a COVID-19 safety plan?
If you don’t currently have a written COVID 19 safety plan, download go2HR’s COVID-19 safety plan template. The template walks you through the development of your customized plan and includes handy tips and relevant resource links to assist you in developing COVID-19 safety controls across your business.
About go2HR:
go2HR is BC’s tourism and hospitality human resource and health & safety association. go2HR empowers employers to have strong human resources and health & safety culture that supports strong business performance. The programs offer tools, information, and consulting services to elevate employers’ human resources and health and safety practices. We also offer education and training for current and future workforces. Finally, the go2hR team works as a resource to inform government, stakeholders, and communities on labour market conditions and strategies in relations to the tourism and hospitality sectors in BC.
If you have any questions regarding workplace health and safety or need support with any aspect of your COVID-19 safety plan, please contact go2HR via phone: 604-633-9787, email: safety@go2hr.ca or visit our Maintaining Your COVID-19 Safety Plan webpage. Our qualified health and safety staff are available to assist and we look forward to supporting you and your team.
Sustainability in Kelowna's Official Community Plan
The City of Kelowna has entered the final refinement phase of updating its Official Community Plan (OCP). The 2040 Official Community Plan will then be adopted as a guiding document to ensure Kelowna can continue to be prosperous, vibrant, resilient in years to come. Read the article to understand the sustainability implication of the OCP.
The City of Kelowna has entered the final refinement phase of updating its Official Community Plan (OCP). The 2040 Official Community Plan will then be adopted as a guiding document to ensure Kelowna can continue to be prosperous, vibrant and resilient in years to come.
Sustainability in 2040 Official Community Plan (OCP)
Sustainable Transportation Network
Transportation infrastructure will be funded, designed, constructed and maintained to meet the needs of users and according to the following priority, recognizing that Urban Centre streets play an important role in supporting a range of transportation modes beyond cars:
i. Active Transportation (Walking and Biking)
ii. Transit
iii. Shared Mobility
iv. Movement of Goods & Services
v. High‐Occupancy Vehicles (HOVs)
vi. Single‐Occupancy Vehicles (SOVs)
Ensure Active Transportation Corridors are designed for cyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities in accordance with the objectives of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
Prioritize bicycle parking and end‐of‐trip facilities through site planning and design of new development to ensure biking is an attractive and convenient transportation option
Continue to support pilot programs and partnerships to improve access to emerging on‐demand mobility options that reduce greenhouse gases and enhance sustainable transportation options.
Integrate electric vehicle charging stations in off‐street parking plans for new multi‐family, institutional and commercial developments.
Protect and restore our environment
The citizens of Kelowna have crafted a bold vision called Imagine Kelowna which outlines what kind of city they want to live in. Imagine Kelowna envisions a city where the protection of our land, water and air resources is strengthened and the health of Okanagan Lake is preserved. Other actions stated in Imagine Kelowna,
Reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions,
Become a more resilient community in the face of a changing climate.
Focusing future growth in compact neighbourhoods with more energy-efficient buildings and provision of a variety of transportation options that produce few greenhouse gas emissions
Here are some objectives and policies stated in the OCP
To manage and protect water resources
Objective 12.9. Adapt to a changing water supply.
Objective 13.3. Design stormwater infrastructure to mitigate flooding and pollution to our neighbourhoods, streams and Okanagan Lake.
Objective 13.4. Provide a secure supply of water.
Objective 13.5. Protect the supply of high‐quality drinking water.
Objective 14.3. Preserve Okanagan Lake for its environmental, traditional, cultural, spiritual, and recreational
To contribute to the improvement of community health, safety, and social wellbeing
Objective 9.1. Incorporate equity into planning decisions and resource allocation in our community.
Objective 9.2. Strengthen the relationship with the Syilx/Okanagan people through initiatives and processes to advance and support reconciliation in Kelowna.
Objective 9.3. Develop diverse partnerships to advance complex social planning issues and increase community wellbeing.
Objective 10.1. Acquire new parks to enhance livability throughout the city.
Objective 14.1. Promote strategies that reduce local air pollution and people’s exposure to air pollutants
To support a regional food system that is healthy, resilient and sustainable
Objectives 4.9, 5.8, 6.5 and 7.5. Strengthen the local food system to increase food security, equitable access to healthy food and social connections.
Objective 8.3. Strengthen the local food system to increase food security and social connections.
To minimize regional greenhouse gas emissions and respond to the impacts of climate change
Objective 12.1. Design the community to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Objective 12.4. and 12.5 Improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of new buildings and existing buildings
Objective 12.6. Transition toward 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.
Objective 12.7. Support the transition to emerging low‐ emission transportation technologies.
Objective 12.8. Support the community to prepare for and become resilient to the impacts of climate change.
TOTA Fast Facts
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association presents Fast Facts, a biweekly research roundup to provide an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing through the stages of recovery.
Tourism Research Summary
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is pleased to once again bring you Friday Fast Facts providing an ongoing snapshot of how the tourism industry is being impacted as a result of COVID-19 and an overview of how things are changing as we begin moving through these first stages of recovery.
We will continue to gain and share business intelligence and insights which come directly from tourism stakeholders in our region via telephone and online surveys; data from our partnership with Environics Analytics received and analyzed weekly, and additional research has been sourced through the UN World Tourism Organization, Destination Canada, Destination BC, British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat, BC Hotel Association, go2HR, Community DMO Partners, and others.
Now more than ever we understand the importance of providing timely data that will assist you in making informed decisions, understanding how industry and consumers are responding, both in the Thompson Okanagan and the province as a whole, and that will assist you in making adjustments to how you do business.
Watch for Friday Fast Facts bi-weekly and for more information please visit Research Roundup on the TOTA News Centre.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is proudly supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.
- TOTA Research
Biweekly Fast Facts
Tourism Kamloops | Luv'n the Loops Passport Wins Marketing Innovation Award
Congratulation to Tourism Kamloops, as one of our Biosphere Commitment Program members, for making great achievements in their marketing innovation.
Tourism Kamloops received top honours in Marketing Innovation for the 2020/21 Luv’n the Loops Passport at the BC Economic Development Association’s annual conference and awards ceremony.
The Luv’n the Loops Passport is an innovative partnership with Kamloops This Week Digital and is free to use. The campaign highlights and supports small business and strives to reinvigorate Kamloops’ visitor economy by providing incentives that residents could engage with independently. To date, over 1,100 Kamloops-area residents have participated in the passport program to receive discounts at over 36 local businesses.
Tourism Kamloops received top honours in Marketing Innovation for the 2020/21 Luv’n the Loops Passport at the BC Economic Development Association’s annual conference and awards ceremony.
The BC Economic Development Association Awards distinguish top performance in marketing innovation, community project, and recovery and resilience across the province. The awards recognize organizations for their efforts in creating positive change in urban and rural communities. In 2021, the awards committee received a record-breaking number of applications.
The Luv’n the Loops Passport is an innovative partnership with Kamloops This Week Digital and is free to use. The campaign highlights and supports small business and strives to reinvigorate Kamloops’ visitor economy by providing incentives that residents could engage with independently. To date, over 1,100 Kamloops-area residents have participated in the passport program to receive discounts at over 36 local businesses.
Seasonal prize packages encourage participants to visit several participating businesses in a certain period. The prizes include local experiences and showcase seasonal highlights.
How to Participate
To participate, visit luvntheloops.com, create an account, visit participating locations, scan the QR code to access the discount or incentive, then receive a digital passport stamp to complete the transaction. Collect 10 or more stamps to be eligible for April’s prize package as well as the grand prize package at the end of June.
As a Biosphere Committed Member
Tourism Kamloops is a Biosphere Committed company in the Biosphere Commitment Program since 2019. Since then, Tourism Kamloops has been making headway towards sustainability, while also act as a regional Biosphere champion in supporting Biosphere companies in the Kamloops area. For more information on Tourism Kamloops, visit tourismkamloops.com.
Free Digital Support Services Now Available
The Digital Support Services Program has been developed to provide tourism businesses with one on one guidance to determine where you currently are digitally and where your business needs to be.
The Digital Support and Literacy Services Program has been developed to provide tourism businesses with one on one guidance to determine where you currently are digitally and where your business needs to be.
As part of this program, a digital marketing expert will offer complimentary services to:
Make urgent updates to your website, such as changes to your operations and the addition of your COVID-19 Safety plan
Claim your Google My Business listing
Set up your TripAdvisor listing (linked to the HelloBC listing)
Set up a social media account (Facebook, Instagram)
Provide recommendations on where your efforts should be focused now and into the coming weeks
Get support on onboarding onto an eCommerce platform and have fees covered for one year (up to a certain amount)
Now is the time to make sure your business is competitive and easily accessible to consumers as we move toward a time in the near future when our visitors are coming back.
Available for a limited time.
UNWTO Releases Inclusive Recovery Guide for Women in Tourism
UNWTO is marking International Women’s Day 2021 with the release of our Inclusive Recovery Guide for women in tourism, compiled in collaboration with UN Women.
The Inclusive Recovery Guide provides recommendations to policymakers, businesses and civil society actors in tourism for designing gender-responsive measures in response to the ongoing pandemic.
As the sector enters the second year of an unprecedented crisis, the impact this has had on women in tourism has been made clear. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the pandemic, and the unprecedented drop in international tourist arrivals, risks rolling back progress made towards achieving gender equality and efforts to empower women and girls
-UNWTO
Tourism is a Proven Driver of Equality and Opportunity
UNWTO data shows that women make up the majority of the tourism workforce (54%). However it was identified that women are often concentrated in low-skilled or informal work. Due to that concentration is means that women in tourism are feeling the economic shock caused by the pandemic crisis more acutely and quicker than their male counterparts.
UNWTO is marking International Women’s Day 2021 with the release of our Inclusive Recovery Guide for women in tourism, compiled in collaboration with UN Women.
Big White Ski Resort Hosts Donation Drive for International Women's Day
In celebration of International Women's Day, Big White Ski Resort Ltd is hosting a week-long donation drive for the Kelowna Women's Shelter. The resort has set-up drop-off bins at the Concierge Desk in the Village Centre Mall for donations of gently used clothing, household items, non-perishable food, and/or gift cards for collection and distribution. Donations will be accepted until Sunday, March 14.
In celebration of International Women's Day, Big White Ski Resort Ltd is hosting a week-long donation drive for the Kelowna Women's Shelter. The resort has set-up drop-off bins at the Concierge Desk in the Village Centre Mall for donations of gently used clothing, household items, non-perishable food, and/or gift cards for collection and distribution. Donations will be accepted until Sunday, March 14.
The drive was spearheaded by Ashley Vander Laan, Food and Beverage Manager at Big White Ski Resort.
"I was fortunate to grow up with amazing and strong women in my life who shaped me into my weird and wonderful self," she says. "I have continued to grow and be inspired by some of the most outstanding women I’ve met here at Big White; from the amazing women in various leadership roles to entrepreneurs and amazing moms, friends, and sisters that form this wonderfully supportive community at Big White.
"I wanted to share some of what makes us so wonderful and to give back to our community, that’s when I reached out to Esther at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter, and the initiative was born!"
The Kelowna Women’s Shelter provides free food, shelter, counselling, support and preventive education to women and their children who have experienced partner violence. To donate directly, head to kelownawomensshelter.ca
This year's International Women's Day theme is "Choose to Challenge." To learn more, head to internationalwomensday.com.
Big White Ski Resort has also asked its team members and community to send in a photo of themselves and their company/department for a video. You can watch the video here. here
Opportunities to Support Labour Force
TOTA is seeking tourism operators to provide mentoring and job placements for up to 75 job-ready participants.
By volunteering as a mentor you can make a difference for a budding tourism professional by sharing career advice, positive support, and encouraging words. The deadline for mentor applications is March 16.
Mentoring | Job Placements | Virtual Job Fair
TOTA is facilitating two virtual Tourism Skills Training Programs in order to support displaced employees and professionals transitioning to a career in the tourism industry. The curriculum prepares participants to work in various tourism and hospitality positions in the Thompson Okanagan region with a focus on serving domestic markets in 2021, ultimately increasing the labour pool for tourism companies. Curriculum topics were determined by TOTA through survey responses from tourism operators about labour needs, skills gaps, and general feedback.
Industry support is essential to help these up and coming tourism professionals achieve success as they journey down the path of their career.
TOTA is seeking tourism operators to provide mentoring during the program and job placements post-program for up to 75 job-ready participants.
You may choose to participate with one or all of these opportunities. Please submit a form for each corresponding opportunity.
The upcoming opportunities for tourism operators to get involved are:
Mentoring for 8 Weeks | Apply by March 16
By volunteering as a mentor you can make a difference for a budding tourism professional by sharing career advice, positive support, and encouraging words. Connect with a participant through virtual meetings or phone calls for 1 hour per week for an 8 week period between March 18 and June 13. We will attempt to match you with a mentee in your community or region.
Job Postings & Work Placements
Are you hiring? TOTA is matching participants with work placements. Participants will have a strong understanding of current tourism industry practices from the curriculum, have varying professional experience, and are seeking a range of positions from entry level to middle management roles.
Sign up to receive a list of potential candidates based on location, interest, and experience. Job postings will be shared during and after the Job Fair.
Virtual Job Fair | April 22, 2021
TOTA is hosting a virtual job fair for Tourism Skills Training program participants on April 22. Employers will host a virtual booth and have the opportunity to meet with participants. Tech support for the virtual platform will be provided.
After you sign up, we will contact you with further details.
Spread the Word
Please share these industry opportunities with any tourism managers and leaders in the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry that may be interested.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us if you have further questions about TOTA's Training Centre and programs:
Barbara Bonnough
Training Program Manager
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
(778) 752-5877 | Training@TOTABC.com
The Tourism Skills Training Programs are delivered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) in cooperation with the University of Victoria-Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and supported by the Province of British Columbia.
Inaugural Virtual Youth Summit on Climate Friendly Travel | April 29
SUNx Malta will host the first ever climate friendly youth travel summit in 2021. The ‘Strong Earth Youth Summit’ will focus on creating awareness of Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) and on fostering ways to encourage changes for a resilient Travel & Tourism future. It aims to promote climate hope in the recovery of the tourism industry through awareness and education, youth empowerment, and engagement and action.
The Strong Earth Youth Summit (SEYS) is named in honor of Maurice Strong, the architect of the Climate Framework and UN Sustainable Development for half a century.
The virtual event, held on April 29, will be in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), British Columbia, Canada; Institute of Tourism Studies, Malta (ITS); and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). Events will be held in three centres, with regional outreach - the Mekong for Asia Pacific; Malta for Europe, Middle East and Africa and British Columbia for the Americas.
Get ready for two full days of penetrating insights and a great line-up of speakers! The summit will highlight the urgent need for Climate Friendly Travel and spread the much needed message of Climate Hope.
SEYS will highlight the need for a clean and green post-COVID future for the tourism sector, in accordance with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and 2050 Paris Agreement. A full line up of sessions and speakers will follow in the coming weeks.
Why Climate Friendly Travel is important
Climate change is an existential threat!
The climate crisis requires urgent action across all sectors. Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) provides a conduit to the long-term transformation to a cleaner and greener Travel and Tourism industry. CFT will help businesses in the industry shift to more climate friendly operations.
Canada’s Airports Reinforce Call for Government Action as Expected Losses Grow with New Travel Restrictions
Airports expect an additional $1 billion in lost revenues as a result of new travel restrictions and extended traffic suppression according to this press release by the Canadian Airports Council.
March 4, 2021 | Canadian Airports Council
Canada’s airport are calling on federal and provincial governments to work with airports and other industry stakeholders as a matter of urgency if our country is to emerge from the pandemic with a functioning air sector that supports Canadian travel, tourism and trade. The air sector needs a plan that will reverse domestic and international travel restrictions when the time is right, and ensure Canada has a strong, competitive air sector on the other side of this crisis.
With the increase in air travel restrictions, and new quarantine and testing requirements imposed during the last quarter of 2020 and early 2021, the Canadian Airport Council’s December outlook projects that revenue losses for Canada’s airports have deepened to $5.5 billion for 2020 and 2021 – a $1 billion deterioration since the last analysis was released in August. Given that no more than 20 percent of the measures outlined in the federal Fall Economic Statement will come in the form of direct grants to address operational losses, Canada’s airports expect to take on about $2.8 billion in additional debt in 2020 and 2021.
Daniel-Robert Gooch, president of the Canadian Airports Council is worried that the effects will be permanent. “While the federal government has been supportive, it is missing the sense of urgency to act quickly and decisively. The reality is that these
losses are unsustainable. Without government action, air travel will not only become a lot more expensive, but Canadians everywhere will have fewer choices of routes and destinations, including at the four major hub airports.”
Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the majority of Canada’s airports were almost entirely funded through passenger and aeronautical fees, which have dropped catastrophically with passenger traffic at zero to 15 per cent of pre-COVID levels at most airports. Unfortunately, the government’s mitigations such as ground lease rent relief and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy provided only minimal aid.
“These measures provided some assistance, but not enough to help support airports dealing with higher costs and cratering revenues,” Mr. Gooch said. “In fact, our analysis shows that even their modest impact was far less than the government projected.”
When the 2020 rent waiver was announced in March the government asserted that it would provide the equivalent of $330 million in relief to the airport sector. The CAC’s data, aggregated directly from airports, show that the waiver saved only $137 million, 90 per cent of which benefited just four airports. Moreover, the majority of Canadian airports pay no rent, so most airports saw no benefit from the waiver at all.
Similarly, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provided $139 million in support to airports in 2020 – a fraction of the $1.7 billion that the federal government says has been provided to “air sector workers” – with 84 per cent going to the four busiest airports. Moreover, about 200 municipal airports in Canada are not even eligible to participate in the program.
If the government does not increase its support, airports will have no choice but to make some stark choices that will have a direct impact on their passengers and communities. They can raise their fees significantly, continue to take on unprecedented amounts of new debt, or reduce operations even more dramatically.
To complicate matters further, air travel is very price-sensitive and airports must compete with each other for service. If their rates increase too much, air carriers may elect not to return or may do so at fares that are no longer competitive, driving Canadians to fly on foreign air carriers and out of American airports as part of a vicious spiral that further degrades air connectivity for Canadian communities.
The CAC has identified a number of government-led actions to avoid the worst of these outcomes, including
• Working inclusively with Canada’s airports and industry partners on a plan to safely restart air travel when it is safe to do.
• Implementing a moratorium on ground lease rents and provide options for interest-free loans (or equivalent operational support) until the business recovers, which could take five years or longer.
• Expanding national transportation infrastructure funding to meet safety and security requirements and adapt to COVID-19 and climate change.
• Making permanent the elevated Airports Capital Assistance Program funding and expanded eligibility criteria to ensure sustainable recovery at Canada’s regional airports.
”Since the outset of the pandemic, airports have worked with transport, border and public health officials, among others, to ensure that air travel is as healthy and safe as possible and to continue to provide essential and emergency services for Canadians,” said Mr. Gooch. “We look forward to working with our government colleagues to rebuild confidence in air travel and save the industry from long term and irreparable damage.