Call for Tourism Companies - ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses

UN Tourism and the University of Oxford are inviting tourism businesses to join a collaborative project on sustainable tourism and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

Tourism businesses will have the opportunity to help create a standardized framework for ESG reporting by participating in brief interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, and field visits carried out between June and August 2024 by a team of experts from UN Tourism and the University of Oxford.

Interested businesses can read more about the ESG Framework or sign up to participate.

Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials course is now open for enrollment

Enrollment is now open for eLearningU’s Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials. The course uses real-world examples of what visitors are looking for and how brands can utilize this information for digital marketing opportunities.

What to expect:

• 11 on-demand modules that cover all aspects of digital marketing

• Short, practical video lessons

• Real case studies and examples from tourism brands

• Downloadable templates and resources that you can use right away

• Hands-on exercises

• Feedback from your instructor on each exercise

• Ongoing support that you can access any time

• Earn your dual certifications upon completion

This all-new course is convenient and allows learners to earn a professional certification, so it is ideal for people who have already completed the Tourism Digital Academy or those looking for a course they complete on their own time.

For a short period, eLearningU is offering preferred pricing to interested BC-based businesses who can use BC300 to get $300 off the course fee.

For more information and to register for the program visit the eLearningU program page.

I-CEDAR program registration is open for new, existing, or ready-to launch Indigenous business ventures

The Indigenous Community Entrepreneurship Development & Action Recovery (I-CEDAR) program is a fully-funded training program for Indigenous BC Residents with a new or existing business.

The program runs for 14 weeks and focuses on planning and development in the domestic Indigenous tourism sector. Participants will attend 3 courses a week starting in September 2024, and once they have completed the program will have a fully developed business plan and a certification from the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.

For more information and to register for the program visit the I-CEDAR program homepage.

TOTA Awarded North America's Responsible Tourism Award 2024

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been awarded the 2024 North America’s Responsible Tourism Award in the annual World Travel Awards.

The World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

TOTA has received the North America’s Award for Responsible Tourism for six consecutive years, in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 (there was no NA competition in 2021) and is honoured to win once again in this category.

As well, TOTA received the World Travel Award for Responsible Tourism in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Achieving this recognition helps TOTA spread the word on how the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and our organization are working to offer tourism services in a responsible and sustainable manner.

As the winner of the North America award, TOTA is nominated for the World Travel Award for Responsible Tourism contest in autumn 2024. Voting information will be shared then.

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Background

About the World Travel Awards™

World Travel Awards™ was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

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About the 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 B.C. 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

TIABC's One Minute Monitor (OMM)

TIABC's One Minute Monitor (OMM) is a short survey deployed as necessary to help us better understand members' views on pressing issues and to help inform policy development and prioritize advocacy activities.

QUESTION: Is your projected business (i.e. bookings, revenues) for the months of July, August and September up, down, or the same compared to the same period in 2023?

Osoyoos Tourism Master Plan to Focus on Benefits to Residents, Environment, and Business

Destination Osoyoos is set to present the Osoyoos Tourism Master Plan to the public in just a few months.

This first-ever, collaborative project represents an 18-month effort involving local businesses, cultural organizations, governments, Indigenous groups, and other tourism-related agencies. The project began in November 2022 with an examination of similar tourism-dependent communities including Ucluelet, Fernie, Tofino, Cranbrook, and others.

The Tourism Master Plan will focus on strategies to enhance destination appeal while delivering resident benefits, such as improving outdoor recreation opportunities; enhancing coordination and support for arts, culture, and heritage; and exploring new opportunities to diversify hospitality and travel industry experiences. Another key component is maintaining, diversifying, and improving industry resilience during peak summer travel, and also deepening the travel season into spring, fall, and winter.

For more information on the Tourism Master Plan, visit the Destination Osoyoos project information page.

BC Workplace Accessibility Standards: Business and Industry associations virtual feedback session on July 4

The Province, in collaboration with the Provincial Accessibility Committee, is inviting British Columbians to comment on how the government can best address barriers that restrict people with disabilities from participating in the workforce and accessing community services. The public engagement on the draft accessibility standards is open from May 31 to July 31.

The public and organizations can share their input/feedback on the draft standards through:

• The public consultation on draft accessibility standards is open and you are invited to provide input on BC's draft accessibility standards recommendations.

• PAC is hosting a virtual workshop on July 4 - share your perspectives on the draft accessibility standards.

• If you are unable to attend the Workshop, but would like to provide feedback, complete the Online Survey, or submit your written feedback to: AccessibleBC@urbansystems.ca

Learn more

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Haywire Winery

Join TOTA in welcoming Haywire Winery to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Program. 

Haywire Winery’s wine-making facility is located in Summerland, BC, and is home to four other wine labels that live under the umbrella of Okanagan Crush Pad. Haywire Winery has constructed a modern tasting lounge next to the crush pad and cellars, and they invite guests to join them year-round for a taste of their wines or to enjoy the view of Okanagan Lake and Switchback Organic Vineyard. 

At Haywire Winery, they use unique concrete tanks to create the wines they serve to guests. These tanks allow for a low-intervention method that gradually and consistently heats and cools the fermenting wine which positively impacts the aromatics and flavour of the finished product. Wine is not the only thing that Haywire Winery puts its care and attention into; Winemaker and Sustainability Officer Katrina D’Costa believes that the team is responsible for the stewardship of the land on which the vineyard and farms reside.

Sustainability Initiatives 

The heart of Haywire Winery’s philosophy is a commitment to socially responsible commitments that include investments in habitat restoration, conservation efforts, and implementing innovative environmental practices in their vineyards. The team at Haywire Winery honours the privilege they have living and working in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan region. However, they recognize that it is a temporary privilege to be stewards of the lands their vineyards and wineries exist on. 

Haywire is dedicated to developing and implementing industry-leading sustainable initiatives that capitalize on the region's immense potential while, at the same time, reaching their own business goals.

When asked about the Biosphere Commitment Program, Winemaker and Sustainability Officer Katrina D’Costa had this to say: “Biosphere has offered us an exceptional opportunity to explore innovative approaches to sustainability within our company while also strengthening our ties to the community. It has motivated us to increase our efforts in public engagement, aiming to boost awareness and education about sustainability practices. This initiative has not only enhanced our internal sustainability measures, but it has also encouraged us to play a more active role in promoting environmental responsibility among the broader public.”

The next project for Haywire Winery is to focus on Garnet Valley Ranch as a place for team and community members to connect to the local environment. The 320-acre property has been developed with organic and sustainable practices in mind and is now ready to host events that highlight the team's sustainability efforts while cultivating appreciation for the community’s shared surroundings.

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.

Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation

Okanagan College breaks ground on new centre for food, wine, and tourism

Okanagan College’s Kelowna Campus is welcoming a new centre for food, wine, and tourism that will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research and development facilities, and common spaces.

The centre is the first of its kind, a collaboration will bring food, wine, and tourism programs to the campus first of its kind, a partnership between students and businesses in the food, beverage, hospitality and resort industries, and will address the labour shortages in the industry by expanding its culinary enrolment by more than 125 students per year, and hospitality and tourism enrolment by 450 students per year.

Plans unveiled for the new Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism

Read the entire Okanagan College Press Release

Indigenous Tourism BC Cultural Safety: Free Online Training Sessions on June 25 & 26

Cultural Safety Training is a two-day virtual session held June 25th and 26th, from 10am-12pm each day over Zoom, facilitated by Shelley Joseph from Ladders 2 Kindness.  

This course starts with a journey through Canada's history of colonization and oppression, and teachings of Indigenous ways of being. Participants will each develop actionable items to ensure they can provide trauma-informed and culturally safe services to and for Indigenous people.

We will delve into the intricate dynamics of lateral violence and lateral kindness, examining its roots in trauma and its manifestations, so we can move forward in the right direction for our common humanity.

It is a transformative journey, where Indigenous wisdom meets contemporary practice. Let’s build a kinder, more connected future together.

This workshop is provided by Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative (ITTI), at no cost to participants.

Register →

Please extend the invitation for ITBC's Cultural Safety training to anyone in your network.  This is a great opportunity for a shared learning experience.

Eligibility for this course includes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – all are welcome!  

Outdoor Recreation BC Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities

The Outdoor Recreation Council released a new guide offering recreation organizations a roadmap for advancing reconciliation objectives and tools for recreation organizations embarking on discussions and relationship building with First Nations at the community level.

The toolkit is part of an ongoing effort to provide guidance and resources to the outdoor recreation sector on working cooperatively with Indigenous governments and communities on outdoor recreation projects. The hope for the guide is to spark dialogue within groups and to help foster genuine collaboration within Indigenous communities.

Read the Guide

Thompson Okanagan featured in Outlook Travel Magazine

The Thompson Okanagan region is featured in a travel guide in Issue 17 of Outlook Travel Magazine.

The guide includes region features, travel recommendations, and an interview with TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews about the region’s commitment to sustainability and growth in tourism.

Read the Thompson Okanagan Travel Guide

WORTH Seeking Candidates for 2024 Board of Directors by June 30

WORTH is seeking candidates for its 2024 Board of Directors, to help advance their vision to develop a community of confident, connected women who accelerate their leadership ambitions. 

This year, the Board of Directors has a minimum of three volunteer director positions to be filled. Board terms are two years long and the commitment is about eight hours per month with quarterly board meetings.

WORTH represents all individuals who identify as female and encourage men to join in the efforts. They welcome trans, cis, genderqueer, and non-binary people.

Interested candidates can contact WORTH’s Nominating Committee via email at nominees@worthassociation.com no later than 5:00pm PT on June 30, with a 200-250 word bio statement outlining their pertinent expertise and interest in joining the WORTH Board of Directors.

Learn more about the 2024 Board of Directors opportunity and requirements

2024 Summer Travel Outlook for Canadian Destinations | Deloitte Report

With the arrival of summer, Deloitte has released the Canadian Summer Travel Outlook. The report provides excellent insights for Canadian destinations and tourism businesses.

Highlights include:

• Most Canadians (77%) expect to spend the same or more on summer travel this year.

• Safety, inclusivity, and accessibility are important to visitors: respectively, 88%, 52%, and 49% think about these concerns when planning a trip.

• Canadians find fitness/sports options, all-inclusive packages, nightlife options, beach/pool access, and personalized customer service lacking in travel destinations.

• 63% of Western Canadians are traveling within their own home region.

• 80% of Canadians prefer food and drink available from local farmers, chefs, wineries, and breweries

• Awareness of Indigenous tourism experiences is rising

• Canadians are generally positive about tourism within their own communities. 43% said the benefits of tourism outweighed the costs in their town or city. But another 43% said they were neutral on the issue – which means we all have work to do to educate people about the importance of tourism.

Destination Development Case Studies

Destination BC has put together 12 case studies that showcase the positive impact of tourism's social, cultural, and economic advantages through destination development initiatives.

Read the case study about how Larch Hills Nordic Society and Overlander Ski Club have improved trails and added lighting to bring in more people to cross-country ski at night.

Read the case study about how Big White Ski Resort, SilverStar Mountain Resort, and Sun Peaks Resort answered the demand for more accessible mountain bike infrastructure.

Water Conservation Toolkit

The Tourism Emergency Management Committee has created a Water Conservation Toolkit for the tourism industry, with resources, shareable graphics, tips, messaging, and steps that businesses and industry partners can take, to promote and participate in responsible water use.

Click here to access the full toolkit.

Partnership Opportunities: 2024-25 Resident Perceptions of Tourism Research Survey

There are partnership opportunities available for Regional and City Destination Management Organizations in BC to better understand how residents view tourism in their communities.

RDMOs and CDMOs can contact DBC’s research and analytics team leads to confirm their participation and get more information on the following partnership opportunities.

Learn more about partnership opportunities and contact information at DestinationBC.ca

Trails and Outdoor Recreation in BC - 2024 Ipsos Poll Results

According to a recent poll conducted for the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), 56% of BC residents say access to trails and outdoor recreational amenities influenced their current choice of residence.

The new poll also shows that 89% of respondents are passionate about outdoor recreation and think that increased government investment in the development and maintenance of trails, parks and other recreation amenities will benefit them or their community.  

The top identified benefits included: improved physical and mental health (62%), protection of biodiversity and nature (50%), and support of the local economy, for example keeping residents spending locally rather than travelling (44%).

Community parks and trail networks (66%) emerged as the preferred recreational destination for BC residents who participated in outdoor recreation in the past 12 months, followed by beaches/coastal areas (48%), rivers/lakes (45%) and national/provincial parks (41%). 

Read more →

New Supports for People Evacuated Due to Emergencies

The Province of BC announced additional and faster support for people evacuated from their homes during an emergency.

To better support people who cannot meet their own needs during evacuations from wildfires and other climate emergencies, the Province is introducing several improved measures stemming from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies, including:

• Introducing an accommodation allowance of $200 per night, which is available through Interac e-transfer or at reception centres. This will provide people with greater flexibility choosing where they stay during an evacuation, whether to stay with family or friends, find a hotel on their own or stay at a campground.  Alternatively, people can still receive a direct referral to a hotel or other accommodation from their local government or First Nation.

• A new Interac e-transfer direct deposit payment option for people who need help securing accommodation during large-scale evacuations. This will help cut down on long lineups at evacuation reception centres and allow people more flexibility and quicker access to emergency funds during an evacuation. People will also have the option of visiting a reception centre to receive financial support in person. 

• Updating and redesigning the EmergencyInfoBC website (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/) to improve user experience, especially on mobile devices. This includes introducing a new easy-to-use share feature, inviting people to share validated and accurate emergency information with their social network, such as X and Facebook.

People can access the Interac e-transfer support by creating a profile at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/. When there is a large-scale evacuation, people who have created an Emergency Support Services (ESS) profile can log into the online self-service registration tool to receive instructions about the types of supports available to them and how they can be accessed. People are encouraged to create a profile before an emergency as part of their preparedness. The online self-service registration tool may only be available during large-scale evacuations.

People are encouraged to consider getting home or tenant insurance, which is one of the best ways people can protect their families in the event of an emergency. In B.C, home insurance that provides coverage for fire damage and losses is widely available in every community across B.C. Both home and tenant insurance policies typically have additional coverage for living expenses while the person is under evacuation order.

View announcement →

New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Kelowna Yacht Club

Join TOTA in welcoming the Kelowna Yacht Club to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program.

The Kelowna Yacht Club is located in downtown Kelowna, BC, on Okanagan Lake. The Kelowna Yacht Club is home to the largest freshwater marina in Canada and the largest lakefront dock that features stunning views of the mountains, Okanagan Lake, and Stuart Park all year round.

Sustainability Initiatives

With two of their four organizational pillars focusing on sustainability and stewardship of Okanagan Lake, the Kelowna Yacht Club is very conscious of the impact that the marina has on the lake. By utilizing the resources, tools, and assessments from TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program, the Kelowna Yacht Club was able to focus its sustainability efforts towards a set of goals that aligned with the complexity of their business while also aligning with other local businesses that have committed to protecting the future of the region. 

Over the past three years, the Kelowna Yacht Club’s Environmental Committee Green Team has created and run several initiatives that support their ongoing stewardship of Okanagan Lake. Along with the recycling and composting program they have implemented onsite, the Club holds a “Dock Swap” event, which encourages members to repurpose boat parts and gear. As part of their sustainability program, they host a shore clean-up in April and September each year. 

Twice a year the Kelowna Yacht Club hosts and participates in a clean up to clear waste and debris from the shoreline 

When asked what other tourism businesses in the region should know about the Biosphere Commitment Program, Brenda Cortés, Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, had this to say:  “The program provides a clear framework for businesses looking to transform operations and perspectives,” Brenda also reported that Biosphere “helps businesses to adapt and start a journey to collaborate with the community, mitigate impacts, and help to gradually restore the land we all live as uninvited guests.”

While working under the Biosphere Commitment Program and collaboratively with other organizations, the Kelowna Yacht Club works more sustainably to protect the lake's ecosystem.

Biosphere Commitment Program 

The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.

Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.

Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program

Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation