New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: Caravan Farm Theatre

Join TOTA in welcoming Caravan Farm Theatre to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Program. 

Caravan Farm Theatre was established in 1978 in the small, agricultural town of Armstrong, BC. Despite what the name suggests, they are not a farm, but, instead, a rural space that is designed for the production of professional theatre, especially large-scale, outdoor productions.

Sustainable Initiatives

Caravan Farm Theatre uses the land as its venue and the fields and forests as its stage, so the team works diligently to act as stewards of the land they work and perform on. The theatre is operated on 80 acres of land and is located on the unceded, traditional territories of the Secwépemc Nation and the Syilx Okanagan Nation. It is the environment and community of the Northern Okanagan that inspires the team to make sustainable choices, and because the health of the land they operate on is directly linked to the health of their organization, Caravan Farm Theatre chooses to make sustainable choices whenever and wherever they can. 

When asked about the experience working with TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program, Artistic & Environmental Programs Manager Vicki Stroich had this to say: “Biosphere Committed gives us a clear framework that we can use to understand the impact of choices we make and find inspiration for new actions as we look ahead. It gives us a vocabulary we can all use as we discuss sustainability. It also helps us think of sustainability holistically in a way that includes not only the flora and fauna here on the land or the operational systems like our water, power, and waste management, but also the people we engage with as an arts organization: our staff, volunteers, artists or audiences.” 

Recently, Caravan Farm Theatre has partnered with the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship and Land Conservancy of BC to  improve the biodiversity of the land they operate on, including recent work on FireSmarting their property and other properties around their neighbourhood. 

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

TOTA is now a member of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has joined over 100 member organizations across the province and is now an Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) member.

This partnership will help TOTA promote and protect outdoor recreation opportunities and outdoor spaces across British Columbia.

Interested businesses can learn more about and join the ORCBC in preserving the outdoor spaces that we work and play on throughout the province. There are many ways to get involved including BC Rivers Day on September 22, 2024.

About the ORCBC

The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORCBC) is a charitable organization that works with its members, government agencies, Indigenous communities, other organizations, and the public to address issues related to outdoor recreation access, environmental stewardship, and public policy.

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.

Learn More

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 →