News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Bridge to Culinary Arts Program
Gain the practical skills and knowledge required for an entry-level position in a large kitchen or restaurant setting. Students will become familiar with kitchen layouts, menu planning, food orders and equipment used in everyday cooking for large numbers. This free 6-week course offers both classroom and hands-on experience cooking and preparing food.
Gain the practical skills and knowledge required for an entry-level position in a large kitchen or restaurant setting. Students will become familiar with kitchen layouts, menu planning, food orders and equipment used in everyday cooking for large numbers. This 6-week course offers both classroom and hands-on experience cooking and preparing food. The program is free for those who meet the eligibility requirements.
This cohort runs from July 25 – Sept 2, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 9:30-2:30 in person cohort at the Okanagan College, Kelowna campus, for Culinary Arts.
Eligibility:
Identifies as having a disability (Cognitive, Mental Health, Physical, Sensory or Developmental),
Unemployed or underemployed (working less than 20 hours per week or precariously employed)
Legally eligible to work in Canada
If interested, please contact 1-866-377-3670 or email oppsfund@opendoorgroup.org.
Border Restrictions to Enter Canada Extended to Sept. 30
The federal government announced Wednesday all existing border restrictions to enter Canada will remain in place until at least Sept. 30.
The federal government announced Wednesday all existing border restrictions to enter Canada will remain in place until at least Sept. 30.
That means foreign travellers will still need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated to enter the country and unvaccinated Canadians or permanent residents will need to provide a molecular COVID-19 test taken prior to entering and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The government is also still requiring all travellers, regardless of citizenship, to upload their vaccine information and travel documents to the ArriveCan app. The restrictions were last extended on May 31.
Watch Recording of Destination Canada’s Annual Public Meeting
On June 23, 2022, Destination Canada hosted their Annual Public Meeting, where the executive team reflected on the challenges and learnings of the past year and shared our forward-looking strategy, which focuses on the best opportunities to support the recovery and resilience of the tourism sector.
On June 23, 2022, Destination Canada hosted their Annual Public Meeting, where the executive team reflected on the challenges and learnings of the past year and shared our forward-looking strategy, which focuses on the best opportunities to support the recovery and resilience of the tourism sector.
Harbour Air Announces Summer Flights from Vancouver to Eldorado Resort Marina
Flights resume on Saturday, July 9th and there are promotional rates as low as $299 all summer long. This seasonal service will feature one round-trip flight twice a week (Saturday & Tuesday) through September 6th.
Flights resume on Saturday, July 9th and there are promotional rates as low as $299 all summer long. This seasonal service will feature one round-trip flight twice a week (Saturday & Tuesday) through September 6th.
Pour More BC Program
Wine Growers British Columbia is relaunching the Pour More BC program to support our local BC restaurant industry and connect you with consumers craving local wine and food experiences.
Wine Growers British Columbia is relaunching the Pour More BC program to support our local BC restaurant industry and connect you with consumers craving local wine and food experiences.
Reasons to Register:
Participating restaurants will be rewarded and supported with WGBC led marketing initiatives such as sponsored social media posts, targeted Google Ad words, influencer blog features, The Vine consumer e-newsletter (25K+) and WineBC.com landing page. All designed to help promote your BC wine listings at no cost to you.
Quality content reaching a wide audience, with your restaurant named (and tagged) directly.
Spotlight listing on our global award winning Wines of BC Explorer App. The geo-location feature connects the (15K+) users directly with participating restaurants within their radius, which means BC wine lovers looking for a place to enjoy a great meal will find themselves being recommended to your venue.
Trade certified education tools will be available under the Pour More BC banner for restaurants to engage, educate and encourage their staff to become leading experts and ambassadors for BC wine.
Social media and print assets to use on your own channels and in store
Best of all-support your local wineries while supporting your own business!
B.C. Wine Industry Welcomes Six New Sub-Geographical Indicators
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced the approval of six new sub-Geographical Indications (sub-GIs) located in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The sub-GIs, recognized as Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, and Lake Country, are now protected terms under BC law representing a geographical area of origin for 100% BC VQA wine.
Read the proposals and technical reports behind each new BC sub-GI at BCVQA.com.
Learn more about each of the wine regions of British Columbia at WineBC.com.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced the approval of six new sub-Geographical Indications (sub-GIs) located in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The sub-GIs, recognized as Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes, and Lake Country, are now protected terms under BC law representing a geographical area of origin for 100% BC VQA wine.
The Okanagan Valley is B.C.’s largest winegrowing region (175 km north to south), comprising 86% of B.C.’s vineyards (9,617 planted acres) and offers a range of diverse soil types, climatic conditions, and resulting styles of wine.
The wine regions of B.C. are identified by ‘Geographical Indications’ (GIs), furthermore by ‘sub Geographical Indications’ (sub-GIs). With a focus on terroir-driven wines, the B.C. wine industry is looking towards recognizing unique growing areas within larger regions as ‘sub-GIs’ to further identify and understand B.C.’s diverse terroir, and to help tell the story of B.C. wine. Once approved, these sub-GIs can then be noted on wine labels to indicate a minimum of 95% of the grapes were grown from the specified region.
British Columbia now features 21 Geographical Indications (10 GIs; 12 sub-GIs):
British Columbia
Vancouver Island (1 sub-GI)
Cowichan Valley
Gulf Islands
Fraser Valley
Lillooet
Thompson Valley
Shuswap
Okanagan Valley (11 sub-GIs)
Lake Country
East Kelowna Slopes
South Kelowna Slopes
Summerland Valleys
Summerland Lakefront
Summerland Bench
Naramata Bench
Skaha Bench
Okanagan Falls
Golden Mile Slopes
Golden Mile Bench
Similkameen Valley
Kootenays
The creation of a sub-GI is determined based on the science of terroir. Soils, climate conditions, landforms, bodies of water, geographical boundaries are all studied, with results comprised and included in a detailed technical report submitted to the BC Wine Authority. This regulatory process involves collaboration among regional producers to source and submit the proposal to prove defined boundaries and distinct terroir.
British Columbia is becoming globally recognized as a quality wine region producing world-class wines renowned for having bright natural acidity and intense ripe fruit flavours.
As growers and winemakers gain more experience with British Columbian terroir, the nuances and qualities of each unique area starts to become apparent, and the wines continue to gain in complexity and excellence. The approval of these new sub-GIs is a win for both winegrowers and consumers alike.
Read the proposals and technical reports behind each new BC sub-GI at BCVQA.com.
Learn more about each of the wine regions of British Columbia at WineBC.com.
Quick facts:
This year, British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) designation celebrates 32 years of quality assurance and 100% BC grown and produced grape wine.
BC’s wine industry has grown from just 19 grape wineries in 1990 to 284 today.
There are 11,086 acres (4,486 hectares) of wine grapes in British Columbia’s ten Geographical Indications (GIs): British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Thompson Valley, Lillooet, Shuswap and Kootenays.
The Okanagan Valley is the largest wine producing region in B.C., with 11 sub-GIs, 186 licensed grape wineries, and 9,617 acres of wine grapes planted.
The Golden Mile Bench in the Okanagan Valley was B.C.’s first sub-GI established in 2015.
The B.C. wine industry contributes $2.8 billion annually to British Columbia’s economy.
Each year, B.C.’s wineries welcome more than 1,000,000 visitors.
Monte Creek Winery Invests 10 Million Dollars
Monte Creek Winery in the Thompson Valley has been making big moves in the BC wine industry. Determined to offer one of the best wine experiences in BC, they recently completed a refinement to their brand packaging, and finished construction on two stunning new buildings. All the enhancements are intended to improve and better reflect the team’s commitment to quality, ongoing innovation, and sustainable practices
On June 15, Monte Creek Winery hosted media to unveil and celebrate the winery’s new commitments to the Thompson Valley.
Monte Creek shared their new state of the art gravity flow production facility with media at the event. The new custom 15,000 square foot facility boasts 52 feet of vertical space, allowing gravity to process fruit gently, instead of pumps. The belief is that this enables the winery to produce more elegant, premium red wines. The new facility allows Monte Creek to have a more delicate handprint on the wines, but it will also triple the number of cases the winery can produce.
“Today is about celebrating the success of wine in the Thompson Valley, and about unveiling Monte Creek Winery’s commitment to this amazing valley with the addition of 10 million dollars in infrastructure,” said Erik Fisher, General Manager of Monte Creek Winery. “The inspiration behind our core values which are quality, sustainability, and innovation transcend from each and every person on this dynamic team.”
BCHA Participates in Fully Funded Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Project
BCHA has partnered with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) and Western Community College to offer a 23 week online “Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”. This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Okanagan area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry.
BCHA has partnered with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) and Western Community College to offer a 23 week online “Hotel Operations Services Skills Training Program”.
This program is designed to train 30 candidates who are currently unemployed or under employed in the Okanagan area and deliver them to industry trained and ready to work. The training is fully funded and will focus on readying the candidate for meaningful work in the hotel industry.
Eligibility
Unemployed or part-time employed (working less than 30 hours per week) or precariously employed
High school graduate or 19+
Be a resident in BC and be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Refugee Protected person with authorization to work
Proof of English language proficiency
Currently living in British Columbia
Benefits & Certificates
Pandemic Awareness
PPE
Food Safe
Privacy Awareness
Serving It Right
BSAFE Certificate
Heart of Hospitality Certificate
OFA Level 1
WHMIS
Super Host
GBA+
Safe Lifting
For registration and more information please contact Claudia Tran at 604.596.7722 ext. 177; claudia.tran@pics.bc.ca
For hotels who may be interested in candidate recruitment during the final phase of the 23 week program, please contact Alison Langford at alison@bcha.com
Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database
Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation.
Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation.
Donate to the Lytton Rebuild Fund
On June 30, 2021, the beautiful Village of Lytton was destroyed by a fire that swept through the town with such speed and fury, most residents didn’t have time to grab much, if anything. Nearly the entire village was destroyed.
To assist with rebuilding a sustainable Lytton, the village has created a Rebuild Fund to enable people to help through donations.
On June 30, 2021, the beautiful Village of Lytton was destroyed by a fire that swept through the town with such speed and fury, most residents didn’t have time to grab much, if anything. Nearly the entire village was destroyed.
To assist with rebuilding a sustainable Lytton, the village has created a Rebuild Fund to enable people to help through donations.
Claim Your Sustainable Life App™ Listing
TOTA and Sustainable Life App™ are collaborating to help Thompson Okanagan tourism companies connect with eco-conscious customers online.
Sustainable Life App™ is a downloadable mobile map-based app that connects eco-conscious consumers with sustainable businesses and brands from where they are. People can use the app while planning a trip or while traveling, making it easy to live a life in line with their core values.
To get your listing, there is a one-time setup fee of $10 USD. Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Committed Companies can receive a free listing with the referral code from Biosphere@TOTABC.com.
TOTA and Sustainable Life App™ are collaborating to help Thompson Okanagan tourism companies connect with eco-conscious customers online.
Sustainable Life App™ is a downloadable mobile map-based app that connects eco-conscious consumers with sustainable businesses and brands from where they are. People can use the app while planning a trip or while traveling, making it easy to live a life in line with their core values.
The app is free to download on Android and Apple. With 4,000+ listings, 10,000+ downloads, and 6,000+ users, the app is growing in popularity across Canada and internationally.
Sustainable Life App™ Business Listings
Businesses can register with Sustainable Life App™ to create a listing and get access to sustainable tourism marketing tools, including:
Customizable Listing: Update your listing anytime, including Social Media Profiles, Photos & Videos
Local Deals: Share local & online deals with customers
Industry Accreditations: Showcase your industry accreditations, including Biosphere Commitment, and sustainable brands that you sell
Custom User Profile: Connect with users based on dietary and purchase preferences that are trending on your profile
Printable Window Decal
Website Widget
Option to upgrade to a user data analytics premium features plan at any time.
Get Listed
To get your listing, there is a one-time setup fee of $10 USD.
Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Committed Companies receive a free listing with the referral code from Biosphere@TOTABC.com.
You can also sign up for Premium Features to get user analytics, quarterly planning calls to maximize ROI, $50 of social media ads (annual only), and unlimited deal listings.
Energy Efficiency Tips: About Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) will play a significant role in decarbonising businesses by leveraging existing gas pipeline systems. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is made from organic waste produced by everyday activities. As organic matter such as food decomposes, it releases biogas which when cleaned produces methane, also known as Natural Gas. As this methane is produced through organic resources it is considered completely biogenic or carbon neutral.
FortisBC is offering renewable and low carbon gases to customers as part of the 30BY30 target to reduce its customers’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 in support of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.
To learn more about renewable natural gas and other ways to reduce your business' carbon footprint, register for a free Energy Assessment or connect with TOTA’s Energy Analyst at Energy@TOTABC.com.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) will play a significant role in decarbonising businesses by leveraging existing gas pipeline systems.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is made from organic waste produced by everyday activities. As organic matter such as food decomposes, it releases biogas which when cleaned produces methane, also known as Natural Gas. As this methane is produced through organic resources it is considered completely biogenic or carbon neutral.
FortisBC is offering renewable and low carbon gases to customers as part of the 30BY30 target to reduce its customers’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 in support of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.
To learn more about renewable natural gas and other ways to reduce your business' carbon footprint, register for a free Energy Assessment or connect with TOTA’s Energy Analyst at Energy@TOTABC.com.
Destination Canada Corporate Strategy: Canada’s Tourism Renaissance
Destination Canada published a new corporate strategy and 3-year plan for recovery entitled Canada’s Tourism Renaissance. This summary highlights Destination Canada’s work to support the 225,000 small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada and their communities by driving sector recovery from the pandemic, as well as taking action towards a better future.
Destination Canada published a new corporate strategy and 3-year plan for recovery entitled Canada’s Tourism Renaissance. This summary highlights Destination Canada’s work to support the 225,000 small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada and their communities by driving sector recovery from the pandemic, as well as taking action towards a better future.
Staying Safe During High Temperatures
With higher temperatures starting to settle in, it is important that employers are aware of the effects heat can have on their workers, and are taking action to prevent heat stress. go2HR has put together some practical resources to provide employers with information, including appropriate control measures that may help to reduce the effects of heat exposure in the workplace.
With higher temperatures starting to settle in, it is important that employers are aware of the effects heat can have on their workers, and are taking action to prevent heat stress.
go2HR has put together some practical resources to provide employers with information, including appropriate control measures that may help to reduce the effects of heat exposure in the workplace.
Business Tips on Welcoming 2SLGBTQIA+ Travellers from Tourism Kelowna
Tourism Kelowna has shared an article for businesses, including business practices to consider and how to assess if you’re ready to welcome 2SLGBTQIA+ travellers, a valuable market made up of highly-educated individuals with disposable income seeking businesses that align with their values.
Tourism Kelowna has shared an article for businesses, including business practices to consider and how to assess if you’re ready to welcome 2SLGBTQIA+ travellers, a valuable market made up of highly-educated individuals with disposable income seeking businesses that align with their values.
Find BC Indigenous Businesses with the ITBC Trip Planner App
The Indigenous BC Trip Planner app is a trip planning and educational tool that guides visitors through the Indigenous territories of BC and their unique, immersive experiences. Use the app to discover places to go, places to stay, and things to do in BC. Find authentic Indigenous experiences and businesses, learn common Indigenous words and phrases, and hear traditional songs, stories, and legends.
Tourism businesses can share the app with their guests or connect with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential partnerships.
The Indigenous BC Trip Planner app is a trip planning and educational tool that guides visitors through the Indigenous territories of BC and their unique, immersive experiences. Use the app to discover places to go, places to stay, and things to do in BC. Find authentic Indigenous experiences and businesses, learn common Indigenous words and phrases, and hear traditional songs, stories, and legends.
Tourism businesses can share the app with their guests or connect with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential partnerships.
11 Travel Terms & Hospitality Industry Trends You Should Know About
Hotel News Resource has shared a glossary of post-pandemic travel terms and trends, such as trip stacking, buddymooning, and revenge travel.
Check out the glossary and plan how your business can take advantage of these current trends in the Thompson Okanagan.
Hotel News Resource has shared a glossary of post-pandemic travel terms and trends, such as trip stacking, buddymooning, and revenge travel.
Check out the glossary and plan how your business can take advantage of these current trends in the Thompson Okanagan.
B.C. Strengthens Actions to Prepare for Climate Change with New Strategy
The Province released B.C.’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. The strategy strengthens B.C.’s collective capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to the impacts of climate change. This includes sudden events like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves as well as changes that happen more slowly like rising sea-levels, receding glaciers, and shifting ecosystems.
Actions fall under four key pathways that work to strengthen the foundations for success, build safe and healthy communities, foster resilient species and ecosystems, and advance a climate-ready economy and resilient infrastructure.
The Province released B.C.’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. The strategy strengthens B.C.’s collective capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to the impacts of climate change. This includes sudden events like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves as well as changes that happen more slowly like rising sea-levels, receding glaciers, and shifting ecosystems.
Actions fall under four key pathways that work to strengthen the foundations for success, build safe and healthy communities, foster resilient species and ecosystems, and advance a climate-ready economy and resilient infrastructure.
Notice to Take Pre-Cautions Due to Okanagan Lake High Water Levels and Mission Creek Flooding
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has been activated due to rising water levels in creeks and streams and flowing into Okanagan Lake. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations recommends that property managers with waterfront and flood-prone areas take pre-cautions, as any wind, rain, or wake from boats has the potential to cause further erosion and damage to waterfront property and structures.
For the most up to date information, visit the Emergency Details & Update page or CORDEmergency.ca.
For tourism related questions, concerns, or challenges, feel free to connect with TOTA's Crisis Communications Coordinator by emailing CrisisMgmt@TOTABC.com.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has been activated due to rising water levels in creeks and streams and flowing into Okanagan Lake. A local state of emergency was declared for the City of Kelowna on June 14.
Okanagan Lake has not peaked, but reached full pool on June 17. Unsettled weather is forecasted in the coming days and crews will continue to monitor creek, river and lake levels.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations recommends that property managers with waterfront and flood-prone areas take pre-cautions, as any wind, rain, or wake from boats has the potential to cause further erosion and damage to waterfront property and structures.
Recommended precautions include:
Review the Prepared BC Flood Preparedness Guide on what to do before, during and after a flood and make a plan.
Ensure docks are secured and that anchor lines are long enough so they don’t snap if water continues to rise.
Boaters are asked to be mindful of speed and wake to prevent property damage along the shoreline.
Encourage staff and guests to use care when walking near creeks as banks can be slippery and unstable and subject to erosion.
Leave debris washing up along the lakeshore in place until water levels recede to protect the shoreline from further erosion.
Get sandbags, which are now available for Peachland, West Kelowna, and Joe Rich areas.
Call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
Details & Updates
For the most up to date information, visit the Emergency Details & Update page or CORDEmergency.ca.
Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency.
For tourism related questions, concerns, or challenges, feel free to connect with TOTA's Crisis Communications Coordinator by emailing CrisisMgmt@TOTABC.com.
Big White Ski Resort VP Michael J. Ballingall Honoured with Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Employee from Far West Ski Association
Congratulations to Big White Ski Resort Senior Vice President, Michael J. Ballingall, on earning the the Far West Ski Association’s Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Employee. Ballingall is the third Big White employee to receive the award, making Big White one only two resorts in North America to have received this award three times.
Big White Ski Resort Senior Vice President, Michael J. Ballingall, is the latest recipient of the Far West Ski Association’s Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Employee.
“What an honour it is to receive this prestigious award,” said Ballingall. “The fact that our very own Jim Loyd won it in 2002, then Katie Balkwell in 2016 made my receiving of this award a hat trick for Big White Ski Resort. It bodes well that our philosophy of strong partnerships and looking after the customer has resonated through our organization for 59 years.”
Big White Ski Resort and Aspen Snowmass are the only two resorts in North America to have received this award three times.
The Far West Ski Association, founded in 1930, held its 89th Annual Convention and Meeting June 9 to 12 in Portland, Oregon. FWSA represented 150 ski clubs throughout North America.
The Bill Mackey Award is given for outstanding service to the skiing public by a ski industry or ski area employee. The award may be received more than once but not in consecutive years. Recipients must be full-time employee in the ski industry or related industry and cannot be a FWSA board member, trustee, or appointed chairperson.